Ohio Legislature approves final FY 2025 budget with key levy modifications

The Olentangy Schools Board of Education made headlines during their recent meeting by approving the final budget for fiscal year 2025, despite it being just two weeks into fiscal year 2026. This unusual timing was attributed to significant adjustments that arose from discussions in June.

Key discussions included potential legislative changes that could impact local funding. A recent article in the Columbus Dispatch highlighted three main items gaining traction in the legislature. Notably, there was talk about levies that traditionally do not contribute to the 20-mill floor, such as fixed sum levies and emergency levies. If these changes are enacted, districts currently at the 20-mill floor could see a rollback of their levies, which would affect their funding structures.

Another significant point raised was the proposed expansion of powers for the budget commission. This would allow the commission greater authority to review budget submissions from local government authorities and potentially reduce levies based on their cash reserves. Currently, the budget commission consists of elected officials, including the county auditor, county treasurer, and county prosecutor, with a new provision allowing a commissioner to act as a proxy for the prosecutor.

These discussions signal potential shifts in how local funding is managed and could have lasting implications for school districts across Ohio. As the board navigates these changes, the community will be watching closely to see how they impact Olentangy Schools and their financial future.