Finance Committee backs resolution opposing bill to eliminate inside millage

The North Royalton Finance Committee on June 17, 2025 recommended that City Council adopt Ordinance 25-105, a resolution opposing House Bill 335, legislation that would end ‘inside millage’ property tax collections.

Finance Director Jenny Esarey told the committee that inside millage across the General Fund, the Police Pension Fund, the Fire Pension Fund and the General Bond Retirement Fund amounts to about $3.3 million and said the proposal would be "detrimental" to the city’s revenue mix. She described the figure as roughly 7% of the city’s budget and warned that eliminating inside millage would reduce local revenues available for those funds.

Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz and committee members said they had discussed the proposed legislation with state representatives. Antoskiewicz said some proponents want to abolish property taxes and that elected officials and local agencies—including school districts and regional bodies such as Metroparks—could face revenue shortfalls if inside millage were eliminated. Committee members also noted practical constraints: any replacement of lost revenue through a city income-tax increase would require voter approval and could be complicated by limits on the city’s tax rate.

Chair Paul Marnecheck moved and Linda Barath seconded recommendation of Ordinance 25-105 to Council. The motion carried, Yeas 3, Nays 0. The resolution will go to the full Council for consideration.

The committee’s discussion emphasized potential impacts on pensions, bond retirement and local services; no formal fiscal replacement plan was adopted at the committee meeting.