Commissioners warn House Bill 335 could eliminate $19.2 million in Medina County nonvoted property tax revenue
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Summary
Medina County commissioners and county officials discussed House Bill 335 and its potential to remove the county—s inside (nonvoted) millage, a change the county estimates would cost about $19.18 million and force either deep cuts or a new sales tax; officials described fast-moving budget timelines in the Ohio legislature.
Medina County commissioners spent a substantial portion of their meeting discussing House Bill 335 and how proposed changes to property-tax law could affect county finances, local services and the timing for any replacement revenue.
The discussion matters because the bill, as presented to county officials, would remove the county—s nonvoted (inside) millage — the county—s current 2.5 mills — a revenue stream the county estimated at $19,176,800 for the current year. County officials said the loss of that revenue within months would force either deep cuts to county services or a rapid move to ask voters to approve a new sales tax.
A county commissioner (speaker not identified by name in the transcript) summarized the concern: "This, just, for Medina County, ... that's 2.5 mills, nonvoted. This year, amounts to $19,176,800. Next year it likely would end up going up... the proposal ... would eliminate entirely within 6 months that income source for the county." The commissioner said options would include making across-the-board cuts or asking voters to approve up to a 1% sales tax authority the bill would permit.
Officials explained the inside millage has a deep history in Ohio, dating to the early 1800s, and said many county functions funded by that millage are state-mandated (courthouses, elections, jails, etc.). "We are arms of the state of Ohio," the commissioner said, adding that removing the millage without offsetting funds would be an "affront to county government." The commissioner said the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) and county auditors are coordinating a response.
John Hunter of the Medina County Auditor's Office said county auditors were assembled at the state-level conference when the proposal surfaced and that "we are not in favor of 95% of what's out there." He told the board auditors are working in county groups to evaluate impacts and will continue to report back to county officials.
Officials said replacement by a sales-tax increase would likely require a substantial new rate; one county estimate shared in the meeting suggested about 0.55% in sales tax would be needed to replace the lost inside-millage revenue for Medina County. Commissioners and staff emphasized the timing is a major concern: the legislature could insert property-tax changes into the state budget and finalize them on an expedited schedule through conference committee, leaving counties little time to plan or to put a replacement measure on the ballot before next year.
No formal county action or vote was taken on policy at the meeting; commissioners said they and statewide associations (CCAO and county auditors) are preparing materials for legislators and are coordinating meetings with sponsors and staff to seek changes or clarifications. Commissioners also discussed the practical limits on what services could be cut: many core county functions are state-mandated and cannot be reduced without state action.
County leaders urged residents and local officials to follow developments closely. Commissioners said they will continue coordinating with associations and prepare requested information on potential service impacts should the inside millage be removed.
