OSBA update: state property‑tax reform proposals could change levy rules, county roles

An OSBA representative briefed the Marlington Local School District board on Oct. 9 about recommendations from Governor Mike DeWine’s property‑tax reform work group that would affect school districts statewide.

OSBA presenter noted the work group’s recommendations include refining the process and definition of county budget commissions to allow reductions of levies deemed unnecessary or excessive, imposing limits on carryover balances (requiring written justification for any balance over 100%), and eliminating future use of substitute levies while renaming current substitute and emergency levies to fixed‑sum levies.

The presenter said the work group supports House Bill 186 (discussed previously by board staff) and favors enacting House Bill 154, which would allow school districts to disapprove community reinvestment area (CRA) programs that impact the district. The presenter also said the work group recommends restricting emergency levies to entities under fiscal caution, watch, or emergency as defined by the state auditor and setting a five‑year limit on those levies.

Board members received the OSBA update as information. No board action was taken during the Oct. 9 meeting; board staff indicated they would monitor legislative developments and discuss relevant bills in future sessions as needed.