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Committee hears testimony to clarify county budget commission authority to review and reduce levies
Summary
Proponents told the Senate Local Government Committee substitute House Bill 309 would codify county budget commissions' authority to annually review levying authorities and, in limited cases, suspend or reduce property tax rates for a year to prevent overcollection; proponents said the change would provide consistency across counties and preserve appeals to the Board of Tax Appeals.
Supporters told the Senate Local Government Committee that substitute House Bill 309 would clarify and standardize the statutory authority of county budget commissions to review local levying authorities and limit excessive carryover balances.
Matt Nolan of the County Auditors Association described HB309 as a clarification reflecting long-standing practice in some counties, including Warren County. He said the bill would require budget commissions to annually review property-tax-levying agencies, and give commissions explicit authority to suspend, reduce or question the need for property-tax revenue for the following year; any appeal would proceed to the Board of Tax Appeals.
Why it matters: Nolan said practices vary by county and that codifying budget-commission powers would create consistent oversight across Ohio. He provided local examples: Warren County has used its authority to roll back levies for library districts and developmental-disability levies, saying DD levies had been rolled back multiple times over two decades when carryover balances were large.
Provisions described: Testimony said HB309 would allow a commission to reduce property tax rates for a year where the commission determines a political subdivision does not need the revenue, and would require annual review of emergency and bond levies so revenues do not exceed voters’ intent. Witnesses emphasized that the provision is not intended to authorize commissions to increase levies or micromanage local spending decisions.
Concerns and clarifications: Senators asked whether budget commissions should have authority to raise levies when voters repeatedly reject them; Nolan said no and stressed the proposal focuses on addressing excess carryover, not overriding voter outcomes. He said the commission’s practice in Warren County involves consultation with taxing entities and is exercised with the consent of local parties where possible.
Who testified: Matt Nolan (County Auditors Association) and Donovan O’Neil (Americans for Prosperity) spoke in favor; committee members asked detailed procedural and scope questions.
What happened next: The committee heard questions and received written testimony; no formal vote was taken on HB309 during the session. The chair adjourned the committee after closing testimony.
