State Representative Marilyn John, representing Richland County, cast a decisive vote in favor of property tax reform bills that promise to deliver significant financial relief for Ohioans. As reported by the Ohio House of Representatives' official website, the package of reforms includes House Bills 129, 309, 186, and 335, combining to reduce property tax increases and save taxpayers upwards of $2.4 billion.
Notably, House Bill 186 is set to shield almost $1.7 billion from Ohio property owners' wallets over a three-year span by launching a brand new Inflation Cap Credit. This measure will prevent the surge in school district property taxes to exceed inflation rates and includes appropriations to ensure school districts don't lose out. "This legislation will help protect homeowners from surprise hikes in their property tax bills," affirmed a release on the Ohio House website. In a movement to further lift the burden on homeowners, the owner-occupied tax credit will be broadened, resulting in more than $800 million in relief over four years.
Parallel to these efforts, House Bill 335 enacts an inflation cap on inside millage collections, a tactic expected to save Ohioans between $621 million and $763 million in the next three years. The bill necessitates county budget commissions to alter each inside millage levy rate, curbing it to no more than the sum of the past three years of inflation.
House Bill 129 introduces a check against unexpected tax hikes by counting various levies toward the 20-mill floor, effectively closing gaps and gradually reducing tax increases. It also provides school districts with new levy options for more flexibility. According to the statement on the Ohio House website, "These options provide additional flexibility for school districts." Additionally, House Bill 309 aggressively cuts down on unnecessary levy collections, empowering the County Budget Commission with greater authority to amend levies and decrease millage rates that may be excessively high.
This suite of bills, following gubernatorial approval, is an extension of the Republican-led initiatives addressing property tax escalations in Ohio. These continuous legislative efforts, including previous state budgets with tax reform measures, are aimed squarely at easing the financial responsibilities of Ohio property owners. House Bills 129, 186, 309, and 335 now await the signature of Governor Mike DeWine to be enacted into law.
