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

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.