Wyoming City Board hears warning that proposed Ohio budget could cut local school funding by changing 'inside village' millage

The Wyoming City Board of Education heard an extended update from the superintendent on a proposed change in the Ohio budget that would remove the longstanding "inside village" millage and related legal protections, a move the superintendent said could reduce local tax revenue and affect multiple local governments.

The superintendent told the board that the provision stems from the Ohio Constitution and that the proposed budget amendment would eliminate the protection that prevents some districts from dropping below a 20‑mill guarantee. "They passed an amendment to the bill that said that that protection is no longer. The bill now includes loss of that protection," the superintendent said.

The change could reduce the district's current inside‑village millage, which the superintendent said is 3.85 mills in Wyoming and represents about $1.7 million in tax revenue for the district. Board members were told the legislation is moving quickly: the superintendent said a conference committee vote was expected the next day, with House and Senate floor votes to follow and then transmission to the governor.

Board members and staff described broad and rapid advocacy across school districts, townships, counties and municipalities. The superintendent said county auditors, bond counsel and local governments had offered testimony and technical analysis explaining how removing inside‑village millage and the 20‑mill protection could damage bond ratings, complicate tax assessment and collection, and shift costs to municipalities and school districts.

Jeremiah, identified in the meeting as the city finance director, joined board discussion about how the change would affect city budgets that rely on inside‑village millage for services. The superintendent also noted testimony from Matt Nolan, the Warren County auditor, and said district and regional advocates had been active in contacting legislators.

Board members did not take a formal vote on district action; the superintendent recommended waiting to see the conference committee report and then coordinating advocacy. "My hope is that the strength and the advocacy of advocacy across the state will do the job," the superintendent said.

Next steps discussed included monitoring the conference committee outcome and preparing possible local advocacy or communications if the bill reaches the governor.