The Athens City Council has approved an income tax rate increase of 0.1 percent, which will span for twenty years and will be put in front of voters during this upcoming November’s ballot. The income tax will benefit Athens’ Arts, Parks, and Recreation Department. If passed, it will go into effect on January 1, 2016.

The levy will replace an expiring income tax, which is due to end in December 2016. City council member Chris Knisely remarked that if the new levy passes, the Arts, Parks, and Recreation Department could possibly double their funds due to the overlapping levies. The city council may look into ending the present tax levy early but currently, the city is using the tax money to help pay off its new community center.