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Treasurer warns legislative risk and preschool costs will pressure district finances despite new levy
Summary
Treasurer Todd Johnson presented a revised forecast showing an overall positive cash balance but warned state legislative changes and the addition of preschool will put pressure on future revenues; the board approved the forecast.
Todd Johnson, Marysville's treasurer/CFO, presented the district's revised multi-year forecast Sept. 18 and briefed the board on legislative risks, a recent reappraisal and preschool costs that affect future revenue projections.
Johnson said the district's ending cash balance remains positive throughout the forecast, but expenditures exceed revenues year-over-year, driven in part by new preschool staffing and services. He described accelerated deadlines and a change to Ohio Department of Education reporting (a four-year forecast requested earlier than in prior years). He also cited House Bill 96 provisions that were partially vetoed and a state tax work group that could affect local property-tax rules.
Johnson warned that proposed state legislation changing the 20-mill floor or expanding local exemptions could reduce district revenues and be compounded by reductions in state aid tied to local capacity. He noted the recent county reappraisal will increase local taxable value and help offset preschool costs in the near term, but cautioned that other legislative changes could reduce revenues later.
On assumptions: the forecast includes a conservative enrollment growth of 50 students annually, salary increases (approved contract amounts already included), and a 9% annual health-insurance assumption; it also factors in additional school resource officers and the end of retainable personal-property (TPP) reimbursement. Johnson said the district met its board cash-balance policy through fiscal 2029 in this forecast and that the May 2026 and subsequent biennial budgets and potential legislative changes represent significant uncertainties.
The board voted to approve the forecast during the meeting.
Ending: Johnson urged community engagement with state legislators and noted staff will return with updates as state budget and tax proposals evolve.
