Gahanna council adopts resolution opposing state bills that would eliminate inside millage

Gahanna City Council on Monday adopted a resolution opposing state proposals to eliminate inside millage for municipal operations, capital projects and debt service, citing an estimated $3,600,000 annual revenue loss for the city and risks to long-term financial planning.

The adopted resolution, introduced as Resolution 0030-2025 and amended on the council floor, directs the council clerk to forward the proclamation to members and leadership of the Ohio General Assembly and to Governor Mike DeWine and asks residents to contact sponsors of the bills. It also asks that the clerk submit opponent testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The measure grew from outreach by the Ohio Municipal League and local lawmakers. During floor discussion, Councilman Schnetzer called the proposal a “massive sweeping change, highly disruptive,” and pressed for language making clearer that Ohio municipalities rely more on income taxes than many cities in other states. The resolution was amended to add whereas clauses noting that eliminating inside millage would increase reliance on income tax revenue, increase revenue volatility, and “risk lowering credit ratings, thereby driving up borrowing costs.”

Vice President Trenton Weaver described the legislation as “yet another attack on municipalities. Full stop,” saying it would “hamstring cities across the state and their ability to pursue those projects that would have a direct impact on the residents that we serve.” President Bowers said her “yes” vote reflected that the resolution did not prevent a resident who can articulate a harm from asserting taxpayer standing or filing a 30-day referendum.

The council voted to amend the resolution (mover: Councilman Schnetzer; seconder: Vice President Trenton Weaver) and then to adopt Resolution 0030-2025 as amended (mover to adopt: Councilman Schnetzer; seconder: Councilwoman Jones). The roll call on final adoption recorded yes votes by Schnetzer, Weaver, Padova, Bowers and Jones; the motion carried.

Council members noted an opponent testimony window before the House Ways and Means Committee and encouraged members to submit written testimony if they could not appear in person. Mayor Jadwin and regional partners are circulating a joint letter; the council agreed to have the clerk forward the city’s resolution to the committee, the bill sponsors, the speaker of the house and other legislative leaders.

The resolution expresses concern that removing inside millage would reduce property tax revenue used for local government operations and schools, increase Gahanna’s exposure to economically sensitive income tax swings, and raise borrowing costs by weakening credit characteristics tied to municipal fiscal autonomy.

Votes at a glance - Motion to amend resolution (adds two whereas clauses on revenue volatility and credit rating risk): mover — Councilman Schnetzer; seconder — Vice President Trenton Weaver; vote — Schnetzer (yes), Weaver (yes), Padova (yes), Bowers (yes), Jones (yes); outcome — approved. - Adoption of Resolution 0030-2025 as amended (opposition to HB 335 / HB 309 and similar proposals): mover — Councilman Schnetzer; seconder — Councilwoman Jones; vote — Schnetzer (yes), Weaver (yes), Padova (yes), Bowers (yes), Jones (yes); outcome — approved.

Context: Council members said the city’s estimated revenue loss of about $3.6 million annually would equate to roughly two mills on Gahanna property and would not materially reduce most residents’ property-tax bills while materially reducing municipal capacity to fund capital and services. Members also flagged the prospect that similar language could be added to the state budget bill (House Bill 96), which could bypass full committee review.

The clerk will forward the adopted resolution and a request for inclusion in opponent testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee and to named legislative leaders.