Morrow County commissioners urge residents to reconsider petition to abolish property tax

The Morrow County Board of Commissioners on March 16 publicly urged residents to reconsider signing a petition that would abolish property tax, saying the proposed change would substantially reduce funding for schools, police, fire and other locally provided services.

A commissioner who opened the meeting and read a prepared letter said, “This sounds like a great idea, but when we realize all what all these funds pay for in our county, we should be greatly concerned.” The commissioner listed likely effects including layoffs at schools, cuts to public safety staffing and training, eliminated library and senior services, and pavement and road maintenance ending without the county road levy.

The nut graf: county leaders framed the petition as a proposal with broad fiscal consequences, saying local governments rely on property-tax revenue to secure bonds for infrastructure and that removing that revenue could threaten debt obligations and lead to defaults. The reading emphasized local impacts rather than state-level policy debate and invited residents to meet with commissioners in person to learn more.

In the body of the meeting record the commissioner highlighted specific areas that could be affected: public education, police, fire and EMS response capability, libraries and parks, human services and senior supports, and the county’s ability to obtain favorable bond ratings. “If this revenue stream disappears, current outstanding debt would likely be in default,” the commissioner said, noting commissioners across Ohio have discussed property-tax reform with lawmakers in Columbus over the past year.

After reading the letter the board took procedural steps to recess and return to regular session; roll-call confirmations on motions during the meeting recorded affirmative votes from the commissioners named in the record. The commissioner closed by urging constituents to contact the commissioners directly rather than solely posting on Facebook.

The meeting record does not show a formal ordinance or ballot action connected to the petition; the reading represented the board’s public statement and request for constituent engagement. The commissioners did not state a formal legal position beyond the warning in the letter; residents seeking specifics about county budgets or levy impacts were invited to meet with staff and the board.

The board adjourned after approving routine items later in the session.