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Ohio Senate approves multi-bill property-tax package that limits levy growth
Summary
The Ohio Senate passed a suite of bills Nov. 18 that limit how rapidly certain property-tax levies can grow after reappraisal and change how some fixed-sum levies are counted, prompting lengthy debate about whether the measures deliver relief or simply shift costs to homeowners.
The Ohio Senate on Nov. 18 approved a package of bills intended to curb rapid growth in property-tax revenue tied to reappraisals and to change how fixed-sum levies are counted.
Senator Sandy O'Brien, who led floor debate on the bills, said the suite offers homeowners ‘‘property tax relief’’ while preserving revenue for schools and local governments. ‘‘Our taxpayers whom we represent want property tax relief,’’ O'Brien said on the floor, urging passage of the measures.
Opponents argued the bills do not provide lasting relief and shift the tax burden. ‘‘This is not reform. This is in fact a property tax shell gate,’’ Senator Kent Smith said in floor debate, adding that reduced state support would leave local homeowners paying more of school costs. Smith and others warned the package would force school districts to rely on reserves or return more frequently to voters for levies.
Among the measures the Senate considered were a bill to count certain fixed-sum levies toward the 20-mill floor and bills to cap growth on the 20-mill floor and on unvoted inside millage so increases are tied to a multi-year inflation metric. Senators offered and tabled several amendments aimed at clarifying emergency-labeling on ballots and delaying effective dates to allow treasurers to prepare.
Senator Blessing, a sponsor of some compromise language, said the combination of changes would deliver targeted relief to homeowners and estimated the owner-occupancy credit changes would yield ‘‘$400,000,000 per tax year of property tax relief for every homeowner in Ohio.’’
Roll-call votes recorded the passage of the various bills: House Bill 129 (counting fixed-sum levies) passed on the floor; House Bill 186 (inflation cap on the 20-mill floor) passed; House Bill 335 (cap on inside millage growth) passed. Several amendments were tabled by recorded votes during the debate.
Next steps: The bills will move to the House or to conference, as applicable, for any further reconciliation. Sponsors said they expect implementation language and administrative guidance to follow in committee work so county auditors and treasurers can prepare for changes.
