Macedonia council sends tax budget, approves renewal on November ballot and opposes state bill to remove inside millage

The Macedonia City Council voted to submit its annual tax budget to the Summit County auditor and to place a renewal of an existing 5.07-mill operating levy on the Nov. 4 ballot, while separately passing a resolution opposing House Bill 335, a state proposal that would eliminate inside millage for political subdivisions. The tax budget, which the council approved for transmission to the county, reports the city’s inside millage estimates (2.53 mills for the general fund and 0.3 mills for the police pension, generating roughly $1.6 million and $194,000 annually, respectively) and the planned outside levy renewal originally set at 5.07 mills in 1967 but with an estimated effective rate of about 1.1 mills today. Why it matters: council members said the revenue from the operating levy supports police, fire and safety services and that the November renewal is a continuation rather than an increase. City officials also warned that a state law change removing inside millage would shift budget authority and reduce local revenues. At the meeting, Director Veres explained the process and timing: the tax budget must be submitted in July for the county to certify rates, and the ballot measure must be filed by an August deadline. The mayor reiterated that the levy would not raise taxes above current collections and said the operating levy funds “are dedicated to police, fire and some safety services.” The administration estimated the 2025 collections from the operating levy at about $757,536 and calculated a cost of roughly $41 per $100,000 of fair market home value. Council also acted on a separate resolution, opposing House Bill 335. Director Gudetti summarized the legislation, saying it is in the House Ways and Means Committee and would “eliminate the inside village,” affecting political subdivisions and shifting fiscal authority to county budget commissions. Council adopted Resolution 48 to formally register its opposition and to urge the Ohio General Assembly to reject the bill. Discussion vs. action: council approved the tax budget transmission (Resolution 43) and passed the emergency resolution to place the renewal on the ballot (Resolution 46). Council also passed Resolution 48 opposing the state bill. No changes to local millage rates were voted — the measures transmit information to the county and place the renewal question before voters in November. Next steps: city staff will submit paperwork to the Summit County auditor and the Board of Elections before the August deadlines, and council members said they will provide more information to residents as November approaches. The administration also said it will continue to monitor the state bill and inform the public of any developments.