Huron County auditor reports 2025 revenues above estimates, cautions on debt and property‑tax policy

Roland Tkach, Huron County Auditor, presented a financial overview to the Board of Commissioners Feb. 24 that showed stronger‑than‑expected 2025 revenues and outlined upcoming debt payments.

Tkach reported 2025 sales‑tax collections of $13,819,642, which he said represents roughly $921,309,466 in retail sales in Huron County. He said sales tax made up 56% of the county’s total general fund revenue for 2025 and that total general fund revenue reached $24,510,580, about 23% higher than the estimate. Interest income last year was roughly $2.1 million, he said. The county moved $1.5 million into the Permanent Improvement fund and $383,121 into the Jail Permanent Improvement Fund; the year‑end unencumbered balance was $10,545,611, down about $374,595 (3.43%) from Dec. 31, 2025.

Tkach reviewed the county’s debt profile, noting past borrowings for projects such as the BMV and ongoing payments for the parking‑lot and vestibule projects through 2028–2030 and a final BMV payment in 2034. On the topic of property tax, he warned that large structural changes at the state level could have significant fiscal consequences: "If real estate taxes go away it could crash the bond rating for the State of Ohio," he said, adding that budgeting remains a matter of priorities: "The bottom line is you cannot spend it until you have it." Commissioners asked questions about property‑tax receipts and subdivision‑level collections; Tkach said he has detailed reports available but did not bring them to the meeting.

The board thanked Tkach for the presentation; the session concluded with the board adjournment at 10:18 a.m.