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Sidney City school leaders warn state bills could sharply cut local property-tax revenue
Summary
At a Sidney City school board meeting, a district presenter outlined four state bills and a potential ballot amendment that could reduce or eliminate property-tax revenue, warning of immediate and long-term impacts on local levies and programs.
Presenter told the Sidney City Board of Education that a suite of bills pending in the Ohio General Assembly and a possible ballot amendment pose a substantial threat to the district’s property-tax revenue and local control. "Next November, there is a movement to get an amendment on the ballot ... that would completely abolish property taxes in Ohio," the Presenter said, adding that initial polling showed 61% support and 21% opposition.
The presenter summarized four measures the board is watching: House Bill 129 (including emergency and substitute levies in the 20-mill floor calculation), House Bill 309 (authorizing county budget commissions to reduce levy amounts), House Bill 335 (capping inside millage affecting schools, fire and police), and House Bill 186 (capping revenue growth for schools to cumulative inflation). He warned that, together, these changes could remove the district from the 20-mill floor and reduce revenue that the district now relies on.
The presentation included a district-specific example: the board’s fixed-sum emergency levy currently raises about $3.8 million a year and expires in 2030; changes under the bills could prevent renewal or exclude fixed-sum levies from favorable calculations, reducing the district’s ability to collect that revenue after adjustments. The presenter said one provision discussed in HB186 would cap revenue increases at inflation and that a retroactive clause under consideration could make reductions apply to prior tax years, potentially taking previously collected revenue away.
Board members discussed communications and next steps. The Moderator said the district should develop a countywide outreach plan so voters hear a consistent message; one board member recommended educating residents about tradeoffs if property taxes were removed, noting that other revenue sources would have to rise.
The board did not take formal action on the legislative items during the meeting; members asked staff to continue monitoring bills and to prepare materials for community education and possible coordinated outreach with neighboring districts.
