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Finance committee members flag petition to abolish property taxes as risk to city, schools
Summary
At a May 20 Finance Committee meeting, members and Finance Director Jenny Esarey discussed pending state bills and a newly approved petition drive to abolish property taxes, with officials warning of significant impacts on city revenue and school funding and Esarey offering to provide a detailed tax-revenue report.
Members of the North Royalton Finance Committee discussed state property-tax legislation and a petition drive that could place a measure to abolish property taxes on the ballot, warning it could sharply reduce revenue for the city and local schools.
Finance Director Jenny Esarey told the committee she is closely monitoring House Bill 187 and House Bill 28, and has drafted a letter on HB28 (which she described as the bill that would eliminate the replacement property tax). She said she and Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz have already spoken with Senator Patton and that, if needed, she and department chiefs can present or submit materials to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Esarey said the city’s property-tax receipts are spread across several funds and offered to circulate a detailed report; she noted the general fund is “about $1.8 million.”
Councilmember Michael Wos warned the petition effort — which he said will require about 413,000 signatures to reach the ballot — could have large consequences. “This would wipe out property tax which affects the city a little bit because we get what 8% from property taxes. It will really hurt the schools and libraries. Schools get about 60% and the county gets about 18%,” he said.
Committee members discussed adding the petition to a future agenda for continued tracking. Esarey told members she is watching the legislation so the city can respond if language changes or requires local presentations. No formal vote was taken on the substance of the petition during the meeting.
Next steps: Esarey offered to provide councilmembers with a segregated report on property-tax receipts (including the fire levy and other perpetual levies) so the committee can assess potential budget impacts if state action or a ballot measure moves forward.
