Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners report state property-tax changes that limit large valuation swings but leave rollback options unresolved
Summary
County administrators told commissioners that recent state legislation (including House Bills 129 and 186) introduces an inflationary cap on the 20-mill floor and expands levies included in that floor; the county said it achieved changes preserving local authority over inside millage but did not secure rollbacks of recent valuation-driven increases.
Butler County administrators briefed commissioners on a package of state property-tax bills on Nov. 25 that will change how the 20-mill floor and owner-occupied credits are calculated.
Administrators said House Bill 186 establishes an inflationary cap on increases tied to the 20-mill floor and modifies owner-occupied piggyback calculations. "In years 2025 through 2029, they're increasing it," the administrator said, outlining a phased rise that the transcript lists as moving from 2.5% to 12.5% and ultimately capping at about 15.38% beginning in the 2029 tax year (collection year 2030). The administrator said House Bill 129 expands the types of levies that are included in the 20-mill floor calculation, which could reduce the number of communities classified as being on the 20-mill floor.
County officials said they successfully worked with the County Commissioners Association (CCAO) and Senator George Lang to remove a provision that would have required board action being authorized by the local budget commission in order to restore inside millage reductions. Those changes, officials said, preserve more discretion for the board of commissioners to set inside millage without seeking budget-commission approval.
Commissioners said the changes will help limit the large valuation-driven spikes seen recently, though they acknowledged the state did not adopt a rollback that would directly reverse recent valuation increases.
No formal county tax-action was taken at the meeting; officials said they will continue work with state partners and may pursue further changes in future sessions.
