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Kenston Local officials say House Bill 96 could cut nearly $1 million a year and push district levy back to voters early
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Summary
Board finance staff told the Kenston Local Board of Education HB 96'a proposed expansion of homestead exemptions'could reduce district revenue by about $1 million annually and deplete cash reserves 2'2.5 years sooner; the board plans to send a letter to county officials and urge public feedback.
Board finance staff and administrators warned at the Kenston Local Board of Education meeting that House Bill 96'which would expand homestead and owner-occupied property tax exemptions'could cost the district roughly $1 million a year and force the district to seek voter approval sooner than planned.
"We would lose to the tune of about a almost a million dollars," said the superintendent (name not provided) while previewing district estimates. Finance staff said the bill'if enacted with a Jan. 1, 2026 effective date in the model'would ‘‘deplete our cash balance reserve much sooner, approximately 2, 2 and a half years sooner.’’ Finance staff (Mister Kales) explained those figures while showing a five-year forecast the board will post to its website.
The officials said the bill provides additional property-tax relief for qualifying homeowners but shifts the cost to taxing entities, including school districts. "Property taxes are definitely out of control," the superintendent said, adding that simply eliminating taxes without replacing revenue would harm services.
Board members said they have drafted and will distribute a letter to county officials describing the projected impact and asking them to reconsider the proposal. "We are gonna be sending out the letter itself," the superintendent said, and the district will include contact information so residents can reach the county auditor and commissioners.
The board'which plans to post the forecast visuals on its website'urged residents to review the materials and provide feedback to the budget commission before it acts. No formal board vote on a legislative position was recorded in the provided transcript; the district said it would share its letter with the community and allow residents to use language from it if they choose.
What happens next: the district will post its forecast and the letter to its website and encourage public comment to the county budget commission and auditor. The board will continue to monitor the bill and related budget forecasts at upcoming meetings.
