Buckeye Reporter

The Buckeye Institute has put forward a series of reforms aimed at addressing the rising property taxes in Ohio. The organization's recent policy memo highlights the complexity of Ohio's local tax and government structures, which they argue contribute to increasing property taxes.

Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, remarked on the issue: "[w]ith more than 3,900 local government bodies and taxing authorities…Ohio adds unnecessary layers of fragmented, redundant bureaucracy that duplicate administrative functions and impose higher operational costs." He believes that these redundancies lead to higher property taxes for Ohio residents.

Lawson suggests that reform should "begin with the General Assembly streamlining the state’s local government structure to reduce costs and lower property taxes." He proposes several steps for state and local officials:

1. Require county commissioner approval before placing levies—excluding school levies—on ballots.

2. Limit property tax breaks for developers and special interests while ensuring abatement recipients repay if promised benefits do not materialize.

3. Allocate state tax dollars for specific critical needs.

4. Share state revenues with communities in need to provide essential goods and services.

5. Encourage shared services among local governments by offering performance-based funds for reducing expenses while maintaining service quality.

6. Incentivize resource sharing or consolidation among local governments to minimize redundancies.

7. Enhance transparency by linking state funding to performance metrics and requiring all local governments to use the Ohio Checkbook.

These recommendations come in response to recent property reappraisals that have led to significant tax increases across Ohio, alongside lawmakers' struggles to address homeowners' concerns.

Lawson also highlighted that many levies reach ballots without county commissioners' approval, resulting in limited oversight from entities unable to assess broader economic impacts. He emphasized the importance of commissioner involvement in levy placements, except for school levies.

Furthermore, Lawson criticized regional economic development practices favoring real estate developers through significant tax abatements while shifting burdens onto families and small businesses. He advocates reforming these practices by limiting incentives offered by local governments.

To ensure responsible governance, Lawson recommends linking state funding with specific performance metrics and efficiency improvements while requiring transparency through consistent use of the Ohio Checkbook.

The proposed reforms aim to streamline decision-making processes, enhance accountability, and improve resource allocation within Ohio's complex governmental framework.