Two candidates are competing in November for the Athens County Board of Commissioners seat now held by Lenny Eliason, who is set to leave office Dec. 31, 2026, after roughly three decades of service, The Athens Messenger reported.
The League of Women Voters of Athens County hosted a forum at the Athens Community Center featuring Autumn Brown, a Democrat from Nelsonville and director of Integrate Athens under the county Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Sarah D. Smith, a Republican from Albany who farms, runs a small business, and serves as treasurer of the county Republican Party.
Brown named affordable housing a central campaign focus, describing the commissioner's role as convening builders, developers, and organizations rather than constructing homes directly. She also cited collaborative leadership and economic development balanced with community health and ecosystems.
Smith called for transparency, fiscal accountability, and accessible government, backing property tax relief and small business support. She wants public forums before development decisions and a county strategic plan modeled on Albany's, arguing new businesses should match the area's character. She said grant funding at state and federal levels could prevent tax increases.
Brown pointed to budgeting and forecasting duties from county managerial roles, including oversight of ATCO's adult program budget. Smith said meetings should return to Zoom and decisions should be explained publicly.
Brown pledged to resign from the ACBDD if elected while carrying forward her community network.