Mayor urges voters to back Athens income tax increase ahead of May 5 primary

The mayor urged Athens residents to vote in the May 5 primary and to support the city income tax increase placed on the ballot as "issue 1." He told listeners the city is "really, really hoping" for turnout and explicitly said, "Vote yes on issue 1."

The appeal came during the mayor's regular weekly update, a short broadcast that also included weather, community events and city project updates. The mayor framed the request as part of the city's preparations for upcoming projects and budgets but did not provide detailed spending plans in the update.

The announcement matters because changes to the municipal income tax rate would affect city revenue and local services; the mayor urged voters to approve the measure but did not lay out a formal timeline for how revenue would be allocated if the measure passes. The mayor also reminded listeners about an Athens City Council committee meeting scheduled for April 27 where routine municipal business will be discussed.

The mayor's comments were limited to encouraging turnout and the affirmative vote; no formal ordinance, budget allocation or staff action was announced on air in the update. The city has not provided further detail about how any additional revenue from the ballot measure would be spent within this broadcast.