Why Ohio voters face so many tax levies
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Tuesday's primary may feel like déjà vu for some local voters: three tax issues rejected in November are back on the ballot.
Why it matters: These repeat requests risk causing "levy fatigue" among frustrated homeowners. But communities typically don't have another option to keep funding essential operations, due to the complexities of Ohio's tax laws.
What's on the ballot again: A fire levy in Franklin Township, a police levy in Blendon Township, and a bond to build schools in the Groveport Madison district.
How it works: Ohio's tax system quirks stem from House Bill 920, a reform lawmakers passed in 1976 but have tried to update in recent years.
- As property values rise, the effective rate of an existing levy goes down, so it never collects more tax money than the amount voters originally approved.
- Yes, but: That means governments and schools must ask for new funding more often, especially amid rising costs.
Zoom in: Franklin is back Tuesday in hopes of combining and replacing existing levies that aren't collecting as much today.
- The situation is so dire that a fire station could close if the levy fails.
- Unlike cities, townships can only levy a voted property tax.
Between the lines: Recent property reappraisals in Franklin County, which raised values by historic levels, are exacerbating levy fatigue.
- Many residents' tax bills went up because HB 920 only limits increases on voted levies. Taxes tied to "inside millage" — a set amount governments and schools automatically receive — aren't capped.
- Schools are also guaranteed a minimum amount of funding before 920 kicks in.
The other side: Groveport Madison's request, a bond, is how districts pay for construction. It's common in suburbs with booming enrollment.
- The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission has agreed to pay 53% of a project that would replace the district's three middle schools and expand its high school.
- But voters rejected a bond to fund the remaining 47% in November 2024 and May 2019.
Context: Once approved, OFCC funding is available for a limited time, often leading to repeated ballot requests while the window is open.
🗳️ What's next: Early voting is happening daily through Sunday, though turnout has been low.
- View the schedule and your sample ballot, and learn about the issues and candidates.