Hamilton County commissioner asks administration to explore doubling homestead credit, cutting inside millage

Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Rees asked county administration on Sept. 25 to analyze options to provide immediate property tax relief for homeowners, including a local match to the state homestead exemption and a cut to the county's inside millage, and to return a report within 30 days so commissioners can incorporate findings into the 2026 budget.

Rees said Butler County this month approved a $50 million package of property tax relief and urged Hamilton County to find tools to help homeowners now, calling the issue an "economic state of emergency." She asked the administrator to "explore doubling the homestead exemption locally," to "explore reducing the inside millage rate" and to provide the analysis within 30 days so commissioners can complete budget submissions due Sept. 29.

County Administrator Jeff Aludo told the board the administration is preparing a report on the new authority in House Bill 96 that allows counties to piggyback on the state owner-occupied credit and other homestead-related options. Aludo said the county is reviewing timing requirements under the law and will provide the board a report "within the next couple of days." He noted a key distinction: if the state enacts reform, the state would fund it; if the county acts locally the cost comes from the county general fund.

Rees and other commissioners discussed practical implications and timing. Rees said she had not known previously that local doubling was authorized and emphasized the urgency of delivering relief before winter utility and property tax bills become due. Another commissioner noted that the governor's working group on property tax reform is producing recommendations and that many reforms proposed by the statewide group would require legislative action.

No formal ordinance or millage change was passed at the Sept. 25 meeting. Rees submitted the motion for the record and asked administration to return financial estimates within 30 days to inform the 2026 budget; Aludo agreed to provide the board a written report on House Bill 96 options and timing.

Why it matters: Commissioners said rising property taxes and utility increases are harming middle-class and senior homeowners. The board's decision whether to pursue local relief would have fiscal implications for the county budget and could accelerate or defer benefits to affected homeowners.

The motion and administrative request were entered into the meeting record; no vote on a tax-rate change or formal adoption of a homestead increase occurred that day.