The panel charged by Governor DeWine to produce proposals on how to address property tax reform released a report with 20 recommendations on the deadline date of September 30.
The panel, led by former state lawmakers Bill Seitz and Ohio Business Roundtable President Pat Tiberi, made the recommendations based on a mix of pending bills and concepts that were raised since the panel convened at the end of July. Co-chair Seitz noted that there is no “magic” or order to the recommendations. Members of the panel noted that there was not unanimity behind the full list of recommendations, with one, former lawmaker and current Pickaway County Commissioner Gary Scherer, comparing it to a vote on the state budget – approval of the totality despite reservations about certain elements.
Among the recommendations:
Expand who gets tax relief (homestead & exemptions)
Establish a statewide “Circuit breaker” / tax credit when taxes get too high
Change how property values are measured
Limit and clarify special levies and emergency taxes
Review tax breaks and exemptions for fairness
Offer tax deferral (delay paying) options
Simplify processes and increase transparency
Consider changing the Constitution
Members of the Ohio General Assembly have expressed skepticism about the Property Tax Working Group’s recommendations, arguing that their own work on the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform, which published its final report in January of this year, accomplished similar work and has been the basis for legislation that has been introduced this session and considered in the budget.
Lawmakers have overridden one of the Governor’s vetoes (restricting the kind of levies that can be brought before voters). There are two further under consideration (County Budget Commission powers and how the 20-mill floor is calculated). Lawmakers have until the end of 2026 to formally vote on any overrides.
Meanwhile, the group that is seeking to place a referendum on the ballot to eliminate property taxes entirely in 2026 continues to pursue ballot access.
