By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
Lake County Auditor
Chris Galloway
Lake County Auditor Chris Galloway addressed the Lake County Commissioners about the increases in the property values due to the mandatory sexennial revaluation.
Highlights of his presentation:
- Average residential value is up 28.6% for the period 2021 – 2023
- Residential increase in last six years: 45.9%
- Agricultural +31.7%, Commercial +12.9%, Industrial +14.20%, Exempt +12.75%
There will be tremendous increases in many property taxes throughout the County for several reasons:
- Increases in property values will impact inside millage, and the increases in taxes will be without a vote of the taxpayers.
- For the Lake County school districts already at the 20 mill floor (Willoughby-Eastlake, Kirtland, Perry) , or the 2024 increases in values will see them now at the 20 mill floor (Riverside) they will receive a tremendous increase in revenue because the 20 mill floor is treated like inside millage. This is all without a vote of the taxpayers.
It is our position that if the 20 mill floor is treated as inside millage, it is inside millage and therefore violates the Ohio constitution limiting the inside millage to 10 mills.
Unfortunately, when we tried to express this view at the State Capital in front of the Committee on Property Taxes Review and Reform, they censored our speech so that it would not be heard by the citizens of Ohio.
ANY TAX THAT CAUSES A CITIZEN TO BECOME HOMELESS IS IMMORAL!
Categories: Community Activism, Lake County - General