[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6521801,"mediaKeyId","5082825-c5dcdb29332c1813875d063474da77fa","parentId",5082825,"title","Xenia council asks county to certify numbers for possible streets tax; staff estimates $2.34 million a year","audioSeconds",483,"startMs",998000,"endMs",1481000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082825-c5dcdb29332c1813875d063474da77fa&start=998&end=1481","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082825-c5dcdb29332c1813875d063474da77fa/thumbnail_998000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521801/Xenia/Greene-County/Ohio/Xenia-council-asks-county-to-certify-numbers-for-possible-streets-tax-staff-estimates-234-million-a-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521801-25fd9fa2c1ad9940f95c5447ea114adb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196805&Signature=ez1darUBiY569jqgREly4un6Z5wb9P~UdXztGz~woV3MTYYQCgeUxi-o63fcQ89LisPy2HLUSEBppvJvdO4Lv64KLSrGF51tQ71gDhAF-oHXaShBALIEknORe6EuhieETESOPGgK7a3Opp07e76zQCXluIGMtQgjU3bkcsmrIf73BHo3FlPqxz6PSrv8ms61z1BzmZLsCo7bS2C9WXY65gNgD6JRqCWjC1TCBs9SgHVHqrJwaYYfsC5E9RaMQOCpHJPZhjfp-l8G1y1Ody02l7yPPXP76s93g29HEluQjI7V4y9b9u0dJ4HwvcnGFro54Afx8SyvIzMeDtm42xl1wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Xenia OH","date","2025-06-26T18:19:19Z","article","XENIA, Ohio — The Xenia City Council on June 26 voted to request Greene County auditor certification of estimated revenues for a potential property-tax levy aimed at funding long‑term street replacement and rehabilitation.

Brent Merriman, Xenia city manager, told the council the draft measure “would generate an estimated $2,340,000 per year” and that under the example language presented the tax increase would add about $140 a year for the owner of a $100,000 property. Merriman said the certification step is required before the city can finalize ballot language and, if the council chooses, submit a measure to the ballot board.

The resolution passed by roll call after discussion but does not obligate the council to place a levy on the ballot. Merriman told the council that if officials decide to proceed they must finalize numbers and submit them to the board of elections by the August 6 deadline for the November election.

Why it matters

City officials said additional, predictable local revenue is needed to address a backlog of street reconstruction. Mayor Will Urschel and council members described a multi‑decade maintenance shortfall: Xenia has about 320 lane miles of roadway, the city estimates roughly 200 lane miles need full rebuilding rather than spot maintenance, and the council’s planning work suggests an additional $2 million to $2.5 million a year would be needed to restore streets and move to a steady maintenance cycle over roughly 15 years. Council members and Merriman said the city is currently averaging roughly $1.8 million a year in overall street investment but that much of that funding has been targeted to major corridors and grant‑eligible projects, leaving neighborhood streets behind.

Discussion, state context and next steps

Merriman and Mayor Urschel outlined the local funding shortfall and the procedural steps the city must take. Merriman warned there is uncertainty at the state level because a number of property‑tax changes were under consideration in the Ohio General Assembly this month; he said some provisions of House Bill 335 were incorporated into the enacted state budget, but that other parts — including proposals that would alter levy thresholds and “inside millage” — either were not included or remained uncertain pending potential line‑item vetoes by the governor. Merriman said that uncertainty does not prevent the city from taking the required first step now but could affect the council’s later decision about whether to place a levy on the ballot.

Mayor Will Urschel framed the vote as keeping options open for the city’s long‑term infrastructure work. “These streets need future‑present considerations because to put this off on another council after we’re gone … is a disservice,” Urschel said during deliberations.

The council approved the resolution to request certification by a roll call vote with all members present voting aye.

What the vote does and does not do

- It initiates the administrative process with the county auditor to calculate estimated levy yields; it does not place a levy on the ballot or change existing tax law.
- If the council later decides to proceed, it must adopt a subsequent resolution directing submission of final ballot language and meet the board of elections’ filing deadline to appear on the November ballot.
- Council members discussed alternatives, including an income tax, but agreed the immediate action was to keep the property‑tax option available while monitoring state activity.

Officials said staff will return to council with finalized certification numbers and proposed ballot language in July; council members must approve any placement on the ballot at a later meeting.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting record and are quoted verbatim from the transcript excerpts provided to the city.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 06/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Xenia City Council on June 26 voted to request Greene County auditor certification of estimated revenues for a potential property‑tax levy aimed at funding long‑term street replacement and rehabilitation.","taxTitle","Xenia, Greene County, Ohio","taxId",70554,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521797,"Votes at a glance: Xenia council approves streetlight assessment, sells six city lots, applies for West Main funding and seeks governor letter on state tax bill",194,1810000,2004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082825-c5dcdb29332c1813875d063474da77fa&start=1810&end=2004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082825-c5dcdb29332c1813875d063474da77fa/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","/articles/6521797/Xenia/Greene-County/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Xenia-council-approves-streetlight-assessment-sells-six-city-lots-applies-for-West-Main-funding-and-seeks-governor-letter-on-state-tax-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521797-56f82ec4eebabceb85053196d69a90f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196805&Signature=JubEXqVJp84n1MUSZ6SyD0fIhu~ExbHiVgNvjRKwDEycgyFYBwef4CaZre~pqwCriOMobCEWVGEqQ3K~okYvNug470ETd9kOrAg7dL2h9nXPOUAXCtTYZQh8d5LOe6HT0kWOFCwcyeo26oJvhF6bcatVhp7jCekkIb961KR40MqMaIC~Wg4klNLKi07UP2otT6YU579gzaX22BYiucFCOK04ZKqFGjc60FHZJAq1j3Ipgju2rJY-0lyTFFKN2yYc2gJpkrztKhnyQPVEItvvOSr-J-SuH6rYcLUqw3tDg7FMH8bwvwAwxowx0fq0aHPiEmJouH5R1DCGAb03yxv4SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","XENIA, Ohio — The Xenia City Council on June 26 took a series of votes on infrastructure, property and state policy items. The council approved ordinances and resolutions with brief discussion, and took one procedural action to request a letter to the governor about state property‑tax legislation.

Summary of votes and key details

- Ordinance 2025‑14 — Levying assessments for city street lighting, 2025: Council approved creating a single citywide assessment district for streetlight maintenance and funding. The measure was introduced June 9 and passed June 26 by roll call (all members present voted yes). Council members said the ordinance complements a broader set of infrastructure funding steps the city has pursued.

- Ordinance 2025‑15 — Sale of city properties (authorizing sales at 607 S. Monroe; 475 E. Church St.; 476 E. Second St.; 536 E. Second St.; 656 E. Second St.; 105 Jackson St.): The ordinance authorizes sales to three buyers identified in staff reports — Tri Power LLC; GG Custom Homes LLC; and Emery Builders LLC — with the properties to be conveyed as part of the city’s home‑preservation/infill effort. The presenter said staff solicited offers and negotiated prices; the specific sale prices were referenced in the staff report but not read into the public record at the meeting. Council voted aye by roll call. Council members urged constituents to drive by neighborhood infill to see the quality of work being produced.

- Resolution 2025‑32 — Authorize application for Ohio Public Works Commission / state capital and local transportation improvement funds (Issue 2) for West Main Street (Progress Drive to Orange Street): Council approved staff filing an application for program year 2026. Staff estimated the project at $1,294,990 with a proposed 69% state / 31% city split, giving a local share of $401,446.90 based on current estimates. The resolution passed by roll call.

- Resolution 2025‑33 — Response to House Bill 335 / state budget proposals: Council discussed a pending package of state changes affecting property taxes and local levy authority. Rather than pass the draft opposition resolution as written, councilors directed staff to draft a procedural letter urging the governor to consider using line‑item veto authority on specific provisions that would constrain local taxing authority; the mayor said staff would prepare a draft for the council president’s signature. Members voted to authorize staff to prepare and send the letter; roll call was unanimous among members present.

- Old business: Resolution 2025‑20 remained tabled (previously tabled on March 27) and was not taken up.

Who spoke and procedural notes

Staff presented the property sales report and recommended acceptance of the negotiated offers; the city manager outlined the Issue 2 application and the estimated project cost and local match. Councilwoman Faith Cerise moved the ordinance approving property sales; Councilman Crawford and other council members seconded and spoke in favor of infill development.

What the meeting record does not specify

- The staff report referenced specific sale prices for the six lots but the transcript did not include the dollar amounts; the transcript identifies buyers and properties but not sale prices read aloud.
- The Issue 2 cost estimate and local match were provided by staff as current estimates and are subject to change if awarded.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting record and any direct quotations are verbatim from the transcript excerpts provided to the city.","At its June 26 meeting the Xenia City Council approved multiple agenda items including a citywide streetlight assessment district, sale of six city‑owned lots for infill housing, an application for state Issue 2/local transportation funds for West Main Street, and a procedural step to ask the governor to review property‑tax provisions. One older","actionData","errors"]

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Xenia council asks county to certify numbers for possible streets tax; staff estimates $2.34 million a year

Votes at a glance: Xenia council approves streetlight assessment, sells six city lots, applies for West Main funding and seeks governor letter on state tax bill