House committee passes measure to give taxing authorities power to decline library levy requests

As the issue of Ohio’s sky-high property taxes continues to dominate the conversation, the state House passed a measure that its chief sponsor said respects local taxing authorities while addressing funding for essential services.

In prepared sponsor testimony earlier this year, state Rep. Brian Lorenz, R-Powell, said the main objective of House Bill 137, which the House Local Government Committee voted 7-6 to advance, is to “authorize taxing authorities to decline submitting a requested library levy or general health district levy to voters.”

“Currently, when a library board or general health district requests a levy, the corresponding taxing authority is obligated to place it on the ballot, irrespective of the broader fiscal landscape or the community’s readiness to support additional taxation,” Lorenz said. “This mandate can lead to voter fatigue and the potential dilution of support for essential services.

“By granting taxing authorities the discretion to assess and, if necessary, decline these levy requests, House Bill 137 empowers local leaders to make decisions that reflect the unique needs and priorities of their communities,” Lorenz added. “This flexibility ensures that levy proposals are introduced in a manner and at times that are most likely to garner public support and meet community needs.”

Libraries Oppose Measure

Unsurprisingly, the measure has drawn opposition from Ohio libraries. Ohio voters have passed 92% of public library levies over the past 15 years, Michelle Francis, executive director of the Ohio Library Council, said in prepared testimony to the committee.

“Allowing local levy requests enables libraries to respond directly to the needs and demands of their local communities and allows voters to have a voice when it comes to local library services,” Francis said. “Any changes to that funding structure could significantly impact the services provided locally.”

County Association Voices Support

However, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio voiced its support for the measure. In written proponent testimony, Nick Ciolli, the association’s research analyst, said the measure is straightforward and commonsense.

“Currently, the board of county commissioners has no oversight authority on property tax levies proposed by county library districts and general health districts,” Ciolli said. “If these entities seek a property tax levy, the resolution is submitted to the board of commissioners, but the board ‘shall’ submit the resolution to the board of elections. The bill changes that ‘shall’ to ‘may.’

“The key to this bill is that the board of general health districts and the trustees of libraries are not elected officials,” Ciolli added. “We do not believe that unelected entities should have unfettered access to place taxes on the ballot. By changing the ‘shall’ to ‘may,’ the board of commissioners will be able to work with the library or health district to determine the most appropriate levy proposal.”