Butler County supervisors open hearing on FY25 levy as officials cite 12% increase driven by insurance, EMA and HF718

Butler County Board of Supervisors Chairman Wayne Dralle and Supervisor Greg Barnett opened a public hearing April 2, 2024, on the county's proposed FY25 property tax levy. County Auditor Leslie Groen told the board the proposed levy reflects an overall 12% increase from current levies and cited three primary drivers: a roughly 30% rise in property insurance costs, increases in the Emergency Management Agency budget, and reclassification of certain qualified expenses into the general supplemental fund tied to HF718.

The hearing, called to order at 8:02 a.m., drew public concern about accessibility and communication. Groen reported one voicemail from a resident who questioned why the hearing was scheduled at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday. Chris Luhring of Parkersburg reviewed figures in a county mailing about the budget, presented a sample of a budget mailing from another state and asked supervisors to reconsider what they felt would be an appropriate property tax increase.

Auditor Groen also distributed a flyer listing state mandates that counties are responsible for funding. During a question-and-answer exchange, supervisors and Sheriff Jason Johnson addressed taxpayers' questions about those mandates and the budget drivers Groen had outlined. The board did not adopt any levy or budget changes during the meeting; after public comment and responses from officials, Supervisor Greg Barnett moved to close the hearing, a motion seconded by Supervisor Rusty Eddy and recorded as 'all ayes.' The special meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.

The meeting record notes that Supervisor Rusty Eddy arrived at 8:30 a.m., after the initial agenda approval. The minutes do not specify dollar amounts or a final vote tally for the levy itself; those details were not provided in the record and are therefore not specified here.