Local property tax authority likely headed for House vote

(The Center Square) – An ongoing effort to reign in property taxes in Ohio continues to move forward.

A bill that moves some power away from the state to local county auditors could receive a floor vote as soon as Wednesday.

House Bill 124 would let county auditors, rather than the Ohio Department of Taxation, determine sales used to track the market and establish fair market value.

“This bill is another step in the right direction as we continue to address the property tax system in Ohio,” said Rep. Thomas Hall, R-Madison Township. “This legislation empowers our county auditors and starts the process locally.”

Currently, the state compares sale prices and the assessed value of property during its reviews to make sure auditors are actually assessing taxes at fair market value.

It also selects the sales data from each county that is included in its studies.

The bill is one of many over the past few years aimed at addressing the rising cost of property taxes in the state.

Currently, around 20 pieces of legislation in the Ohio Legislature deal with property taxes, including options for a tax circuit breaker, an increase in the homestead exemption and a plan to allow local entities to create residential stability zones.

None have passed, and all remain in a variety of committees.

Also, organizers continue working on putting a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would end property taxes altogether.

It is in the second signature-gathering stage, and government officials recently signaled concerns.

Public schools, counties, townships, fire departments, police offices, parks, libraries, road maintenance, senior services, mental health, health care, and countless other government services in Ohio rely on property taxes for all or part of their funding.

If passed, the amendment would eliminate $19 billion in funding for local governments and services, and the proposal does not include an alternative funding source.