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County treasurer warns property tax cuts could force public-service cuts
Summary
Lake County Treasurer Michael Zernlake told the Riverside Local School District board that proposed state-level property tax reforms could eliminate funding for public safety, libraries, senior services and school operations unless replacement revenue is identified.
Michael Zernlake, Lake County treasurer, warned Riverside Local School District trustees on Oct. 16 that proposals to reduce or replace property taxes at the state level could have broad, under‑reported consequences for local services.
Zernlake told the board that total property tax collections across Ohio in 2025 amounted to "just under $24,000,000,000," and said roughly 60% of local property tax revenue now supports schools while the remainder funds police, fire, libraries, mental‑health and senior services. "If property taxes are reduced or eliminated," he said, "there's no money in the state budget to replace it — that revenue will need to come…
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