SchoolsWednesday, November 4
Athens voters renew the city schools' 1% income tax levy with no end date
The Today in Athens team
If you live in the Athens City School District, your 1% income tax levy just became open-ended. Voters renewed it Tuesday night, 5,675 to 4,034, in unofficial results from the Athens County Board of Elections. It had been set to expire at the end of 2028. Countywide, 20,572 of 36,003 registered voters cast ballots, around 57%.
The school levy won by more than 1,000 votes
Unofficial election night results
Athens City School District 1% income tax levy
Source: Athens County Independent
View as table
| Race | Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens City School District 1% income tax levy | For the levy, won | 5,675 | 58.5% |
| Athens City School District 1% income tax levy | Against the levy | 4,034 | 41.5% |
Treasurer Jared Bunting told the Independent the levy makes up nearly 14% of the district budget. The district had asked voters to make it permanent to cut financial uncertainty. Superintendent Chad Springer said renewal keeps the district "more stable" for a few years, but schools "are facing financial hardship no matter what."
The levy now has no end date
- Nov. 2017Voters renewed the 1% levy for a decade.
- Nov. 3Voters renewed the levy indefinitely.
- 2028The levy had been scheduled to expire at the end of 2028.
- 2030The district predicted it could run through cash reserves by then.
- Taxed: earned income only, not property or retirement income
- Revenue: over $5.5 million as of Sept. 30
- Earlier plan: an election was scheduled for 2027