Athens · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Athens public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Non-union employee pay and benefits
Two ordinances would bring non-union employees' pay and benefits closer to union counterparts — about 3.1% average pay adjustments, spousal health insurance carve-outs for new hires, and supervisor pay differentials. The pay ordinance was briefly tabled for a personnel executive session.
Rumpke trash and recycling contract extension
The ordinance would extend Rumpke's contract two years with no rate increase for residents. Recycling advocates want the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District — which took over the former recycling center — to get a chance to propose a competing government-to-government deal, but the auditor warned Rumpke won't hold its rate forever.
2027 City Budget
The 2027 budget is about $16 million below last year's, with three grant-funded firefighter positions sunset per plan. Council Member Swank pressed for answers on where the voter-approved $2.1 million income tax increase is going; the mayor and auditor pointed to the medical fund (roughly $1 million more), streets, transit and capital, plus building a carryover reserve.
ISA certification requirement for tree contractors
The commission reviewed removals, pruning needs, and new planting requests across town — a dead dogwood on Wallace, a healthy post oak on Franklin, a bare median on Briarwood, and a struggling silver maple on West Union. These decisions shape what streets look like and how much shade residents get.
AFSCME Spousal Health Insurance Carve-Out (Ordinance 99-26)
A draft MOU with AFSCME would require new employees after January 2027 whose spouses have other coverage to use it instead of city insurance, easing pressure on the strained medical fund. Council also moved $300,000 between funds to fix how retirement buyouts were charged.
Tax Year 2026 property tax rates
The city formally accepts the county's estimate of about $1.2 million in property tax revenue for 2026. It's routine — nothing new is being taxed, just confirming existing voter-approved rates.
Parking garage gate repair pay
Parking enforcement officers will get extra pay for fixing garage gates themselves, instead of waiting and paying for a Columbus repair company — faster fixes and lower cost.
Medical fund shortfall and interfund transfers
City insurance costs keep climbing — last year the general fund had to bail out the medical fund by $750,000. This year the auditor found about $1 million in unneeded appropriations elsewhere to shift over, plus $250,000 for department wages, rather than new money.
July 4th 250th anniversary celebration funding
Athens' Independence Day lineup includes patriotic chalk art, a kids' bike parade, a hot dog eating contest, a community picnic on College Green, live music, and a special appearance by Athens' own Olympic gold medalist Gwyneth Phillips.
NOPEC energy grant for community center HVAC
The city accepted $7,121 in NOPEC grant money, likely going toward an HVAC controls upgrade at the community center that will cut energy costs. NOPEC is the city's gas aggregation provider and this 'free money' arrives yearly based on enrollment.
Parking garage software and refunds
Day one of the garage's kiosk system: grab a ticket, pay at the kiosk before the gate ($1/hour, $20 max, free Sundays/holidays). A resident asked that the garage open free during snow emergencies and that parking be validated for people attending council meetings.
2026 Staffing Reductions and Pay Adjustments
Retirements and new water meter technology mean trimming a lab technician, a parking enforcement officer, and a meter reader from the 2026 staffing ordinance, plus pay-grade housekeeping for non-union positions.
CDBG program year 2026 funding notice
HAPCAP staff read the required public notice of Athens' CDBG eligibility: $150,000 allocation program, plus competitive Residential Public Infrastructure ($750K max), Critical Infrastructure ($500K max), and Flex programs. A strategy meeting was set for the next day.