Butler County commissioners were briefed Jan. 7 on a set of property-tax recommendations released by the General Assembly’s joint committee on property-tax reform. County staff said the report includes several items the commissioners had previously advocated, though the committee’s recommendations would require state legislation to take effect.

The administrator read portions of the committee’s final report, highlighting recommendations that would need action by the Ohio General Assembly. Those included: expanding and enhancing the homestead exemption for veterans, elderly and other eligible populations; authorizing a property-tax circuit breaker (a provision previously proposed in Senate Bill 271); adopting a property-tax deferral program for homeowners; removing the authority of the Ohio Department of Taxation to order adjustments to county auditors’ proposed property values; requiring emergency and substitute tax levies to be included in a school district’s 20-mill floor; and authorizing counties to temporarily implement three-year averaging for property valuations.

The administrator told commissioners that the three-year averaging proposal had been one of the measures the Butler County commission originally advanced during its work sessions with local officials. “That was the proposal of this commission, initially when you wanted to engage with the tax commissioner,” the administrator said.

Commissioner Dixon said the list would be a good start but emphasized the need for changes in the school funding formula. “We need to keep focused on the main prize and that’s getting the legislators to make some real changes in the funding formula,” Dixon said.

No formal county action was taken at the Jan. 7 meeting. County staff said the recommendations are currently a list for the General Assembly to consider and that the commission’s next step is to monitor and, if advised, advocate with the 135th General Assembly on proposals that affect Butler County.