Mixed feelings on property tax proposal

Yahoo

6 hours ago

Ohio House Republicans have unveiled a plan to address concerns over property tax.
State representative David Thomas, who represents southern Ashtabula County, has been working with the House Ways and Means Committee on the legislation.
Property tax has become a bigger issue for residents through the state as property values rise significantly, and people's incomes do not, Thomas said in a recent press conference, detailing legislation introduced earlier this week.
'Ohio has a crisis,' Thomas said in a press conference.
He is new to the State House, but spent six years as Ashtabula County Auditor.
Thomas and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Roemer said they are seeking to put multiple tax reduction ideas into one bill.
Thomas said it will be the most significant tax changes since 1976.
Thomas said property tax has become too dominant in the funding structure for services at the local level, and he hopes to create ways to reduce property taxes by January.
The legislation includes the elimination of inside millage, which would cost Ashtabula County $5.7 million per year, and the city of Ashtabula $700,000 per year.
Inside millage has been seen as a guaranteed base funding and is not voted on by voters.
Thomas said he hopes local governments go to the voters if they need additional funds and reduce the burden on property owners, who have seen up to 30% increased value in their property.
The legislation would tweak the Homestead Act to provide more assistance to senior citizens.
Another goal of Thomas and other House Republicans is to put teeth in the county budget commission, which would have the power to review the financial need of different government entities.
Thomas said the commission has been active in Ashtabula County, but not in many counties across the state. The group, which consists of the county auditor, treasurer and prosecutor would be another tax watchdog.
Thomas said the proposed legislation would cut an average of $850 from property tax bills statewide.
Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said he is not in favor of the bill. He said the loss of $5.7 million would be very difficult for the county to deal with.
'I believe this is pushing the burden on local governments,' he said.
The legislation came without input from local governments, and no fair solution can come without local interaction, Kozlowski said.
'We are providing a lot of these services on behalf of the state,' he said. He said state-funded mandates have increased without funding required to provide the services.
He suggested the state taking over certain aspects of government such as courts — through the Ohio Supreme Court — public defenders and the Board of Elections, might be a way to go.
Kozlowski said he believes in property tax reform, but not this particular plan.
Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said the proposal is absurd, forcing local governments to bear the brunt of the reductions.
He said the city would lose about $700,000 of inside millage.
The budget process and property tax reform unfolding at the same time has been a challenge, Timonere said.
'Nobody knows what is coming,' he said.
Another interesting part of the state financial picture is a proposed income tax reduction in the Senate budget proposal, which is presently being debated.
Thomas said some sort of compromise on the income tax proposal is likely.
The deadline for the state budget to be approved is June 30.