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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 from different sources or services will be cut." (Remarks began at 2:18 into the recorded presentation.)
Why it matters: The treasurer framed the issue as more than a tax cut for homeowners, saying a reduction in property tax revenue without clear replacement funding would force local governments and school districts to either cut services or raise alternative taxes and fees. He listed public safety (police, fire, EMS), road and bridge maintenance, libraries, mental‑health supports and senior services as examples of services paid in part with property taxes.
Zernlake described several replacement proposals he has seen — substantially higher sales taxes, taxing food and payroll, new user fees, tolling roads and specialized levies such as “sin taxes” or expanded gambling taxes — and said some plans would require sales tax rates in the high teens to fully replace property tax revenue. He also said some people he surveyed favored a universal residence tax so “everyone should pay into the system.”
Board members asked clarifying questions about specific programs. Board member Dennis Keeney asked whether school vouchers are paid from property‑tax revenue; Zernlake said he did not know and would need to research which fund covers vouchers. Treasurer comments also noted that schools face new cost pressures — increased technology and school‑based safety measures — that have raised operating costs compared with decades ago.
Zernlake said he has created a public survey and plans to collect up to 15,000 responses to share with state legislators and newspapers; he encouraged the board and residents to share the survey. He handed printed copies to Board President Scott Fischel at the end of the presentation.
Ending: The treasurer emphasized the complexity of tax reform and urged careful local and state planning if lawmakers pursue changes to property taxation. He did not propose a specific local action; board members did not take a vote on the matter during the meeting.
