South Side homeowner Bonnie Mitchell sees 500% tax hike
South Side homeowner Bonnie Mitchell sees 500% tax hike, seeks relief through Legal Aid Society; is able to keep house
Michael Stinziano is Franklin County auditor.
Re: “Will Ohio homeowners get property tax relief? Why lawmakers can’t agree on a fix,” Feb. 24: Ohio does not have a property value problem; it has a property tax problem.
Increasing home values are not the cause of unaffordable property tax bills in Franklin County. A byzantine, unconstitutional property tax system that forces underfunded schools and other taxing agencies to go on the ballot, often with levies that ultimately can raise taxes for everyone, has caused this kitchen-table issue.
In Franklin County, had two levies not been sought and ultimately passed after the 2023 reappraisal, property taxes would have remained flat or decreased for around 50% of property owners, despite the increase in values.
Yes, this means values can go up and taxes down (and under Ohio’s system, values could go down and taxes up). This is partly because House Bill 920, which became law in 1976, includes tax reduction factors that limit property tax increases because of property value increases.
You certainly want your property value to increase given your home is one of the largest investments you make in your lifetime.
The system as created was not complicated, but over the decades it has evolved and caused issues that were not anticipated, which has led to the situation that Franklin County and other parts of Ohio find themselves in.
For four and a half decades, the Republican-controlled General Assembly has had the opportunity to solve these problems. Instead, they have pursued tax cuts and culture war laws that address nonexistent issues while this tax issue festers and neighbors remain concerned about how to remain in their homes.
There are solutions
As your Franklin County Auditor, I continue to advocate for a menu of property tax relief legislation, including ideas such as: targeted exemptions, deferral programs and modernization of the homestead exemption. An array of reforms remains the best way to keep Ohio an affordable place to live.
As mentioned in the article, property tax increases were worse for homeowners who live where school districts have reached a 20-mill floor, below which House Bill 920’s tax reduction factors do not apply. Luckily, no school district in Franklin County has reached that 20-mill floor as of yet, but it might not stay that way for long.
Let’s finally get property tax relief for Ohio’s residents who are concerned they are in danger of being priced out of their neighborhoods.
A bipartisan group of county auditors, including me, has been proposing changes that would address this crisis for years.
But the legislative changes that are needed can only be accomplished in one place: the Statehouse.
I urge statehouse legislators — do something! Let’s solve this escalating property tax problem for our residents by passing meaningful reforms.
Michael Stinziano is Franklin County auditor.