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North Royalton officials warn state property‑tax proposals could cost the city millions
Summary
At the Sept. 16 Finance Committee meeting, city officials said proposals and a citizen petition to alter property‑tax rules could erode local revenue; Finance Director Jenny Esarey cited inside‑millage exposure and Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said a state senator estimated a $2.2 billion statewide cost.
At a Sept. 16 meeting of the North Royalton Finance Committee, Finance Director Jenny Esarey and Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz warned that recent state proposals and a citizen petition to change property‑tax rules could significantly reduce local revenue.
Esarey told the committee the city’s General Fund receipts were running ahead of a 75% seasonal target and that a sizable portion of collections reflected RITA delinquency recoveries. She cautioned the committee about several items moving in the state legislature and a citizen effort to get a charter amendment on the ballot. "Some came out last week and was moved to the House Ways & Means Committee," she said, describing a package of measures that would affect inside millage and continuing levies.
Mayor Antoskiewicz said State Senator Patton told him a statewide change would carry a steep price tag. According to the mayor’s account to the committee, "if the property tax issue would get passed in the state, it would cost the state $2.2 billion dollars." He said Patton "doesn’t believe that he is on board with a lot of these" and that the senator appeared to be weighing options practically.
Esarey identified House Bill 335 as one proposal impacting the city’s inside millage and described local figures she said the committee should track: "In total, inside millage for us is roughly $3.3 million. It is various funds. The continuing levies, the perpetual loss for Police and Fire is $2.4 million and then the EMS levy is $1.8 million." The committee did not provide a reconciled total; officials framed the figures as approximate local exposures tied to different levies.
Committee members said they are monitoring developments and contacting state lawmakers. The mayor said he does not expect a definitive resolution "by the first of the year" and noted uncertainty about whether a citizen petition to place a charter amendment on the May ballot will meet signature deadlines or be delayed until November.
The committee moved to remove the separate agenda item labeled "Petition to Abolish Property Taxes" and continue oversight of the topic within the broader property‑tax legislation discussion. No formal action on local levies was taken at the meeting; officials said the city will follow legislative changes and counsel with state representatives as proposals progress.
