Local school boards making moves that increase property taxes without public vote
DOVER – Three Tuscarawas County school districts are taking steps to increase property taxes without asking for voters’ approval.
Dover, Claymont and Indian Valley school boards have approved reallocating inside millage, or mills not voted on by the public, away from operating costs and toward permanent improvements that could include new construction or building upgrades.
County Auditor Larry Lindberg says those moves will raise property taxes in the districts essentially by how much millage the district moves.
For Dover, he estimates property taxes will go up $154 a year per $100,000 of home value, for Claymont, $140 per year and for Indian Valley $175 per year. For comparison, the New Philadelphia Schools’ bond issue and levy on the November ballot would raise property taxes there by $252 dollars per year per $100,000 of home value.
Moving inside millage is permitted, but such moves are facing opposition. Lindberg says he personally doesn’t agree with it.
“While they may need the money, I would prefer to see it on a ballot type of an issue, but under Ohio law it is absolutely permissible,” he said.
The mayors of Dennison and Uhrichsville are asking their councils to oppose Claymont’s proposal.
House Republicans Bill Roemer and David Thomas call what the local school districts are doing “stealth tax hikes” and have proposed halting the practice or eliminating inside millage altogether.
Meanwhile, Governor Mike DeWine’s Property Tax Reform Working Group is expected to make recommendations on statewide reforms this week.
Lindberg says the county budget commission is reviewing all three local proposals while keeping an eye on developments at the state level. He says residents would see the increase on their property tax bills in February.