Property taxes are a growing concern for many families in Vermilion, Ohio. As home values rise, so do property taxes, leaving many residents, especially seniors, struggling to keep up. For those on fixed incomes, like retirees, the burden can feel overwhelming. It’s time for Ohio lawmakers to take action and provide meaningful property tax relief.
Why Property Taxes Are a Problem
In recent years, property taxes in Ohio have increased dramatically. These taxes are used to fund local schools, fire departments, police, and other essential services. While these services are important, the system is not always fair. Rising property values mean that even if a homeowner’s income stays the same, their taxes can go up. This hits seniors and low-income families the hardest.
In Vermilion, a small town with a close-knit community, this issue is especially noticeable. Many of our neighbors are retirees who have lived in their homes for decades. Now, they’re facing the tough choice of whether to sell their homes or stay and struggle to pay their taxes.
The Power of Local and State Officials
Ultimately, there are only two ways to legislate property tax relief. Locally, your school board members have the power to lower your tax rate. Statewide, your state representatives and senators have the power to freeze, cap, lower, circuit break, or even exempt your tax base.
This might come as a surprise, but the two most powerful public offices in the state of Ohio with respect to property taxes are the school board and state legislator. This means that decisions made at both the local and state levels have a direct and significant impact on your property tax bill.
For Vermilion residents, this underscores the importance of engaging with both local school boards and state representatives. School board members can adjust tax rates to reduce the financial strain on homeowners. State legislators, on the other hand, have the ability to enact broader reforms, like freezing property values or capping increases between home sales.
How the Homestead Exemption Helps
One way Ohio provides property tax relief is through the Homestead Exemption. This program is designed to help seniors and people with disabilities. It reduces the taxable value of their homes, which lowers their property tax bills.
In 2023, Ohio passed new legislation to make the Homestead Exemption even more helpful. Starting in 2025, the income threshold to qualify will rise to $40,000, up from $38,600 in 2024. The amount of the exemption will also increase, reducing the taxable value of a home by $28,000, up from $26,200. For disabled veterans and spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty, the exemption will rise to $56,000, up from $52,300. These changes will provide much-needed relief for many Vermilion residents.
Wood County Auditor Matt Oestreich praised the updates, saying, “It is a great program, and I am excited that the state decided to expand the income threshold and exempted amount. The state legislators understand the hardships on seniors and disabled veterans.”
Proposed Solutions for Greater Relief
While the Homestead Exemption is a step in the right direction, it’s not enough. Lawmakers are considering several bills that could provide even more relief:
- House Bill 60: Expands the Homestead Exemption to include an additional 75,000 seniors and raises its value to $40,000.
- House Bill 263: Freezes property taxes for seniors earning $50,000 or less, providing $400 million in relief for over 700,000 seniors.
- House Bill 274: Doubles the exemption for homeowners who have lived in their homes for more than 20 years.
- House Bill 645: Offers a $1,000 property tax rebate for middle-class homeowners and renters whose tax payments exceed 5% of their income.
These bills, if passed, could make a huge difference for families and seniors in Vermilion.
The Moral Case for Tax Relief
For many, the issue of property taxes isn’t just about money—it’s about fairness and compassion. Seniors who have lived in Vermilion their entire lives should not have to leave their homes because of rising taxes. These are the same people who built our community, supported our schools, and contributed to the local economy. They deserve to stay in their homes without fear of being taxed out.
Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda recently spoke about this issue, saying, “Property taxes are too high, and this is a direct result of choices made by state lawmakers. For over two decades, certain politicians in Columbus have systematically shifted responsibility for funding essential services away from the state and onto our local communities, and therefore, onto our property owners.”
What Can Be Done in Vermilion?
While state lawmakers debate these bills, there are steps Vermilion residents can take:
- Contact Local Officials: Reach out to your state representatives and senators. Let them know that property tax relief is important to you.
- Hold School Boards Accountable: Attend school board meetings and advocate for lower tax rates. Ask tough questions about how the budget is managed and where cuts can be made without affecting education quality.
- Educate Neighbors: Share information about programs like the Homestead Exemption and proposed legislation. The more people who understand the issue, the stronger the push for change will be.
- Support Advocacy Groups: Organizations working for tax reform can amplify your voice and bring attention to the issue.
The Time to Act Is Now
Property tax relief is not just a state issue; it’s a community issue. Vermilion is a wonderful place to live, but rising property taxes threaten to push out the very people who make it special. Seniors, veterans, and low-income families deserve better.
As Rep. Dani Isaacsohn said, “Ohioans deserve relief from their legislature, and they need it now. We have solutions that are bipartisan and will help people who are hurting.”
It’s time for Vermilion residents to join the call for change. Let’s work together to ensure that no one in our community is forced to leave their home because of property taxes.
