Ross Local board members warn that proposed property-tax repeal would harm schools if placed on ballot

Board members discussed a proposed amendment that would eliminate property tax in Ohio and expressed concern about the ballot initiative's potential effects on schools and other public services.

During the legislative report portion of the meeting, a board member noted the wording for a property-tax elimination amendment had been approved for signature-gathering and that petitioners must collect roughly 400,000 valid signatures. Treasurer Steve Cassader said he had heard the measure lacked a clear funding mechanism to replace property-tax revenue and that major public-sector unions and other stakeholders would likely oppose it unless the back-end funding solution were specified. Board members said that if such a measure reached the ballot, local schools and other public entities would need to prepare public information efforts.

No motion or formal board action was taken on the topic; the discussion was advisory and informational only. Board members framed the concern around the practical funding consequences: replacing broad property-tax revenue would require some other revenue source (for example, higher sales taxes), and without a defined replacement plan the measure would undermine police, fire, roads and schools, they said. The board urged awareness and preparation should the amendment move forward to the ballot.