By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall, A Populist, Concord Resident

I have been asked once again to express my opinion on the 3.9 mill property tax for Concord Township’s Fire Department.

Concord Township’s Fire Tax Levy

Here is the levy language that Concord resident will see on the November ballot:

2 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional)
Concord Township
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
An additional tax for the benefit of Concord Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire-alarm communications, for the payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical
services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs that the county auditor estimates will collect $3,284,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 3.9 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $137 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.

My opinion on the tax levy has nothing to do with the qualifications or work performed by the Concord Fire Department. My position is based on years of attending and recording many meetings in the County and analyzing the financial reports generated from the many public records requests we have submitted.

My overall concerns about Lake County and taxation are:

• Lake County’s public sector is growing at such a rapid rate the private sector will eventually be unable to pay for the services. We are a County that promotes socialism, and far too many citizens expect the government to solve their problems.
  
• One-third of Lake County’s population is over 60 years of age. There are more retirees every year living on fixed incomes that are being priced out of their homes because of the ever-increasing property taxes.
  
• Many State legislators and County auditors believe that if a senior cannot afford their property taxes, they should sell their home and move into an apartment.
  
• The Lake County Auditor uses a third party appraiser that makes decisions on property values that control the destiny of seniors without the appraiser being accountable to the citizens.
  
• There are no checks and balances in County government that can control the growth of the ever-expanding government and the non-profits that feed off the government dole. The ill-defined role of the Lake County Budget Commission has allowed non-profits to accumulate millions of dollars in their cash accounts. There is NEVER any thought of returning money back to the taxpayers.
  
• There have been massive failures of government entities, especially the public educators. Most are not being good stewards of the taxpayers’ money (Kirtland is the exception), and they expect taxpayers just to blindly continue to support their failures. A prime example is Lakeland Community College. The former chief executive and his complacent board’s malfeasance drove the college into what I believe can be considered bankruptcy (when their liabilities exceed their assets). The taxpayers willfully give them $20 million a year expecting them to spend it wisely.
  
• There is a lack of understanding of our very complicated taxation of property by citizens, local politicians and State legislators. Any talk of the HB 920 and the 20 mill floor has the overwhelming majority “scratching their heads”, and voting for school levies just because “it’s for the children”. There is no thought about proficiency scores or morality taught in schools.
  
• There has been a deception played on all Ohio taxpayers for a very long time. The Ohio Constitution and the Ohio Revised Code state that inside millage (unvoted on by the taxpayers) cannot be any more than 10 mills. However, the legislators inserted a clause that allows them to bypass that 10 mill limit. All joint vocational school funding (Auburn Career Center in Lake County) is set at a maximum of 2.0 mills, but it is not subject to the HB 920, so it is de facto inside millage. Also, school property tax levies cannot be reduced by HB 920 when the inside and outside millage for current expenses reaches 20 mills. When there is an increase in property values this deception results in a tremendous increase in school funding without a vote of the taxpayers. Outside millage is treated as inside millage – a HUGE DECEPTION played on the taxpayers.
  
• The Lake County Commissioners believe their role is to tax and spend, and appoint citizens to the many boards throughout the County. They are proud that they have so much money that their investment income has risen to $18 million per year. Several years ago, we discovered by a simple review of County funds over $6.0 million in two funds that represented overpayments from taxpayers for over 30 years. Many Commissioners and Treasurers were willfully oblivious to this fact because the funds were invested and bringing investment income to the County. The Commissioners do not believe that one of their roles is to ensure that entities using taxpayers’ funds are spending the money wisely. They “stay in their lane” because the two top priorities of any politician is to protect themselves and get re-elected. No thought as to what is the best interest of the taxpayers. NO ONE HAS EVER MENTIONED ABOUT RETURNING EXCESS FUNDING TO THE TAXPAYERS!

My personal concerns for the 3.9 mill Concord tax levy are as follows:

Old Fire Station #1:

New Fire Station #1 recently built:

Old Fire Station #2 on Prouty Road:

New proposed Fire Station for Prouty Road:

1. The Township will receive an additional $300,000 – $400,000 from the local government fund distribution. Trustee Morgan McIntosh deserves credit for negotiating this outcome with deliberation between Lake County Mayors and Managers.
   
2. The Township will receive over $600,000 annually because of the sexennial revaluation without a vote of the taxpayers.
   
   It will cost me approximately $25.00 per $100,000 of my home market value (appraised value) [Total estimated additional tax $142.95 per year]
   
3. The Riverside School District will receive $3.6 million annually because of the sexennial revaluation without a vote of the taxpayers.
   
   It will cost me approximately $93.00 per $100,000 of my home market value (appraised value). [Total estimated additional tax $531.77 per year.]
   
4. Lake County will receive $1.8 million annually because of the sexennial revaluation without a vote of the taxpayers.
   
   It will cost me approximately $11 per $100,000 of my home market value (apprised value). [Total estimated additional tax $62.90 per year.]
   
5. My total estimated additional tax without my vote is $737.62, which is an 8.1% increase over my current $9,129.68 annual property tax.
   
6. The 3.9 mill Concord levy will cost me $136.50 per $100,000 of my home market value (appraised value). [Total estimated additional tax will be $780.51, which is an increase of 8.54% per year]
   
7. If the Concord Fire Levy passes, my taxes will increase $1,518.13 per year, which is a 16.62% increase over my current $9,129.68 annual property tax.
   
8. My total annual taxes will be $10,647.81 starting in 2025.

Hopefully, you can seen my concerns about the Concord Fire Levy.

We have uncovered the problem. The problem is “We the People”‘. A State legislative aide told us that last year there were 900 property tax levies on the ballot and 880 (98%) of them passed.

What taxpayers fail to recognize is that they are funding their own demise.

ANY TAX THAT CAUSES A CITIZEN TO BECOME HOMELESS IS IMMORAL!

We will be meeting with State legislators tomorrow October 28th at the State Capitol to start our determined journey to eliminate Ohio’s property taxes. We will keep everyone updated on our journey.

We are fighting for our generation and future generations. Property ownership is the foundation of our freedom and liberty. We cannot let legislators relegate us to become a State of renters.

This is our classic video where former Commissioner and State Representatives give the two top priorities of government and politicians. Listen for the statement where there is concern for the average citizen – hint: it is not there!

Update: November 4, 2024

Concord Township Trustee, Morgan McIntosh, took issue with this article. Here is his response to an average citizen. Stoking fear is never a winning argument.

Mr. Massie,

Good morning. I was deeply disappointed to read your article dated October 27th, opposing Issue 2, the 3.9 mil fire department levy in Concord. As I have stated to you before, I am empathetic to your cause and appreciate your diligence. However, I object to your single focus on all government as bad government. Further, your only focus is on what a tax costs a taxpayer, you completely ignore the rising costs the government must endure to provide services. Inflation has hurt the government as well. You know this as you requested that Concord hire more police for our community, several years ago. At that time Carl told you we didn’t have the funds to support this. The only thing that has changed since you made that request is that the cost for police and fire have risen even more!

You provide no credit to Concord trustees for appointing a citizen advisory committee, and the work we have done to secure funding that does not cost taxpayers anything additional. The RID, the looming federal grant, and my diligent work and advocacy for townships on the LGF. After complaining for years about how Concord was shorted by the LGF, you have sold out to your other interests and now oppose what you once requested us to accomplish.  Your entire objection against issue 2 is based on county and state issues. That is a failure of justification to oppose our levy. Failure of issue 2 will put the lives of seniors in danger. Response time will increase keeping the very population that relies on fire and EMS the most at risk! 

What good is not raising taxes if the fire department cannot reach a senior in their most desperate moment of need??!!

I respectfully request that you publish my attached response to your article.

Categories: Concord, Lake, Lake County - General, Lake County Cities & Townships, Lake County Politics, Ohio Counties, Real Estate Taxes, Uncategorized

Tags: Property Tax