Treasurer: House Bill 96 will reduce Elyria City district revenue by about $1.5 million; levy and cuts aim to stabilize finances
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Summary
The district treasurer reported that changes under House Bill 96 will cost the Elyria City School District about $1.5 million in owner-occupied homestead tax revenue next year; the district is pursuing a 4.9-mill emergency levy in November and plans $3 million in expenditure reductions for 2025-26.
Colleen Abel, Elyria City School District treasurer, told the board on Oct. 15 that House Bill 96 lets county commissioners double an owner-occupied homestead property-tax exemption, and the resulting reduction in collected property tax will cost the district roughly $1,500,000 for 2025.
"The county estimates that our district's homestead owner-occupied property tax for 2025 will total approximately $1,500,000," Abel said, adding that the state does not reimburse districts for that revenue loss.
Why it matters: The loss of $1.5 million is a recurring reduction in local revenue and affects the five-year forecast the treasurer presented to the Ohio Department of Education earlier. The treasurer said she had re-run the forecast to show the updated figures for local planning.
Details from the meeting: Abel said the district had previously placed a 4.9-mill emergency levy on the ballot in December 2024; that levy did not pass in the spring. The district plans another levy effort in November and has a district plan to reduce expenditures by $3,000,000 by the 2025-26 school year through cost-savings measures.
Abel also read a federal compliance notice required under 7 CFR part 226 (Child and Adult Care Food Program), advising that staff involved with CACFP must complete annual civil-rights training. She acknowledged donated items and gifts to the district, including a $530 check from GrowWell Cleveland for orchestra at O'Leary High School.
Board action: The board voted to accept the financial report for September and acknowledged donations as part of the treasurer's action items; a roll-call vote recorded ayes and the motion carried.
Ending: The treasurer urged the board to note the revenue shortfall and the district's combined strategy of a levy and expenditure reductions to maintain fiscal stability.