Updated 7/18/18 12:45 pm We believe that is a safe bet to say that the current method of calculating real estate taxes is very confusing to most taxpayers. Quite simply, there has to be a better way. Why are we… Read More ›
Real Estate Taxes
A Journey Through the Board of Revisions…how we got our RE taxes reduced
At the same time we were studying how our real estate taxes had increased 42% in the 11 years since we moved into Concord Township, our friend and excellent real estate agent that we have used many times over the… Read More ›
November 2018 Ballot Issues…….the tax levies just will not stop!
We had heard about Lakeland Community College putting a tax levy on the ballot, so we asked the Board of Elections if they have any information. The Board of Elections made the following comment when they sent us the information… Read More ›
Proposed Wickliffe Property Tax Increase….it is a killer for seniors on fixed incomes!!!
Thanks to Lobbyist Kim for the “heads up” on a proposed Wickliffe school board property tax increase. http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20180630/wickliffe-school-board-reconsiders-options-for-future-building-needs?source=most_viewed We need to get the word out to our friends in Wickliffe. The proposal is for 6.49 mill increase. Remember our calculations… Read More ›
So how do other States deal with property taxes and seniors?
Thanks to our Lobbyists Jim from Painesville for this great article on State Property Tax and Assessment Freezes: http://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/state-property-tax-freezes-and-assessment-freezes.aspx We will continue to push for tax relief for seniors and those living on fixed incomes.
Our mission to help all Ohioans keep their homes has started
We are moving forward with our project trying to prevent Ohioans from being priced out of their homes because of the ever-increasing real estate taxes. We are going to start with nine counties in Northeast Ohio, and will be asking… Read More ›
Lake County Demographic Reports….
These are very interesting statistics about the Lake County population. In light of our concerns about the increasing real estate taxes pricing seniors and those living on fixed incomes out of their homes, we can see why our property taxes… Read More ›
Music & Memory …….a $50,000 study from Senior Levy funds
While reviewing the Willoughby-Eastlake Board of Education’s meeting minutes, we noticed a $50,000 receipt from the Lake County Commissioners’ Office, and a subsequent payment to RSVP. So we went upstream and asked Mr. Jason Boyd, County Administrator, for the details… Read More ›
Letter to the editor….Citizens are starting to get it..
Thanks to Lobbyist Elliot for this letter to the editor in the News-Herald: Your opinions How levies are hurting some residents: I am writing to thank those Painesville Township homeowners who evidently have never seen a property tax increase they… Read More ›
Our Debate Over Real Estate Taxes Continues
In previous posts, we mentioned that we have filed a request for a revaluation of our property to reduce our real estate taxes. We initially filed our request with the Lake County Auditor’s office in January, 2018. We just received… Read More ›
Commissioner Cirinio’s News-Herald article
Thanks for the following copy of the article Commissioner Cirino wrote for the News-Herald…..We agree completely with Commissioner Cirino on the devasting impact that it will have on Lake County. The question now is: What can we do about it?”
State of Ohio House Bill 586…..give credit to Rep. John Rogers
Although we have disagreed with State Representative John Rogers’ decisions in his second job as the Executive Director of the Lake County Land Bank, we must applaud his efforts to at least try to do something for seniors in Lake… Read More ›
Unfunded Pension Liabilities……what a tangled mess
We have done some more research on the issue of unfunded pension liabilities, and at the risk of ‘getting too deep into the weeds’, we will offer some explanations of what we have discovered on the Lake County Auditor’s website…. Read More ›
More Bad News about State Pensions….so who is going to pay?
Thanks to our Kirtland Lobbyist for this article on State Pension plans. It makes our last public meeting with the Lake County Commissioners all the more important. (See the video for Commissioner Dan Troy’s reaction to our questions on Lakeland… Read More ›
Video of Commissioners’ Meeting…we will let the citizens decide
As promised, here is a video of the Lake County Commissioners’ meeting held on Wednesday, April 4th. We informed the Commissioners about the taxpayers’ investment in Ohio and Lake County schools, and the grades received for that investment. We also… Read More ›
Perry Nuclear Plant closing….how does it impact Lake County citizens?
We read the article in the News-Herald about the permanent closure of the Perry Nuclear Plant. We thought we should reach out to Mr. Ed Zupancic, Lake County Auditor, and ask him how will this impact the real estate taxes… Read More ›
Lake County Health District..proposed 2019 budget
The following schedules were given to us by the Lake County Health District’s official. We would like to again thank them for spending so much time with us, and educating us on the Health District’s role in the community. Health… Read More ›
Willoughby-Eastlake Districts…More tax levies in your future….
Residents in the Willoughby Eastlake school districts, be prepared to vote on more property tax levies. At the Land Bank meeting today, we were told that the Willoughby-Eastlake school officials are planning to demolish an elementary, middle school and a… Read More ›
Lakeland Community College……proposed levy in the works?
We have not heard from Lakeland Community College yet regarding our requests for financial information. However, we received from a reliable, knowledgeable source that Lakeland is planning on putting a levy on the ballot. They are trying to determine the… Read More ›
Catholic Charities…..all I can say is “hmmmmm”
Since Catholic Charities receives taxpayers’ money from the ADAMHS Board, we asked for 5 years worth of financial statements. Here are some pages of their CY 2016 report…. Mr. Gareau (CEO)….you have a nice gig going there… Here is a… Read More ›
Crossroads…a wealthy “non-profit”
We are trying to make Lake County taxpayers aware of the “lack of candor” in Lake County issues. We have been reviewing the Internal Revenue Form 990’s required to be filed by Lake County “non-profits”. We are reporting the balance… Read More ›
RSVP…$125 K per year for an employment agency for volunteers?
Have your ever heard of RSVP? Here is their mission per their website: “The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides opportunities for people 55 and over to make a difference in their community through volunteer service. RSVP volunteers contribute… Read More ›
Letters to the editors….trying to get the word out to Lake County
We have decided to send the attached letter to the News-Herald and to the Lake County Tribune. We will let you know if they actually publish the letter. Losing the American Dream…….One Tax Levy at a Time I have come… Read More ›
Initiating an Ohio Statute….Can anyone help?
I have been asked what are the next steps that can be taken to resolve our increasing real estate tax problem. I have found the procedures to initiate a statute under Ohio law. Here is the link: (you may have… Read More ›
Email to John Rogers, State Representative
We will let you know how Mr. Rogers responds. First Name Brian Last Name Massie Address 8196 Rainbow Drive City / State / Zip Concord Township, OH 44077 Phone Number 440.479.7061 Email brian@LobbyistsforCitizens.com Subject Real Estate Taxes Message Would you… Read More ›