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Treasurer: Elyria City schools expect about $1.5M loss after county doubles homestead exemptions
Summary
Treasurer Colleen Abel told the board county approval of House Bill 96 changes will reduce Elyria City School District property-tax revenue by about $1,509,727 for 2025; the district is pursuing a 4.9-mil emergency levy and plans $3 million in spending reductions for 2025-26.
The Elyria City Board of Education was told Oct. 15 that a recent county action related to House Bill 96 will reduce the district's property-tax collections by roughly $1.5 million for 2025.
Treasurer Colleen Abel said the county commissioners approved expanded homestead owner-occupied property tax exemptions on Oct. 7 under changes to House Bill 96. "The county estimates that our district's homestead reduction ... for 2025 will total approximately $1,500,000," Abel said, later giving a figure of "about 1,509,727" as the estimated foregone revenue. Abel said the state has not provided reimbursement and that the change occurred after her five-year forecast was sent to the Ohio Department of Education.
Abel told the board the district is pursuing two lines of response: a 4.9-mil emergency levy that was approved by the board in December 2024 and placed on the ballot (it did not pass in spring, and will be on the ballot in November), and a plan to reduce expenditures by approximately $3,000,000 for the 2025-26 school year through cost-saving measures. She said the district will not resubmit the forecast to ODE immediately but had prepared an updated health assessment for internal planning.
Abel also read required annual compliance language tied to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and acknowledged recent community donations (GrowWell Cleveland: $530 to the orchestra). The board approved the treasurer's action items by roll call.
