Erie County Commissioner Matt Old
Erie County residents are facing growing financial pressure from rising property taxes, prompting the creation of the Blue Ribbon Committee. Appointed by Erie County Commissioners, the committee seeks to identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend solutions to alleviate the tax burden without compromising essential public services.
The Need for Action
Rising property values, which increased an average of 22% this year, have led to higher tax bills, causing financial strain on many residents. Public forums, hosted by Serving Our Seniors and the Sandusky Register, revealed widespread concern and frustration about escalating costs.
Erie County Commissioner Matt Old and County Treasurer Caleb Stidham recognized the need to act and established the Blue Ribbon Committee to address these issues. The committee brings together a diverse group of leaders, including:
- Jeff Krabill (Sandusky city commissioner, co-chair).
- Mike Parker (Oxford Township trustee, co-chair).
- Tom Tucker (former Sandusky Schools superintendent).
- Karen Balconi Ghezzi (retired Erie County Job and Family Services director).
- Kelly Moon (former Berlin Heights mayor).
- Tom Forster (private sector representative).
- Lisa Crescimano (former Perkins school board member and county recovery board treasurer).
A Clear Mission
The committee’s primary objective is to explore ways to streamline government operations and identify redundancies across Erie County’s local governments, school districts, and public service agencies.
“This isn’t about cutting services,” said co-chair Mike Parker. “It’s about finding smarter ways to operate so that we can deliver the same or better results for less.”
To meet this goal, the committee will focus on:
- Reducing operational inefficiencies.
- Consolidating resources and services where possible.
- Improving cooperation among local entities.
- Producing a comprehensive report with recommendations by June 2025.
Understanding Ohio’s Property Tax System
Educating the public about Ohio’s complex property tax system is a key part of the committee’s work. At the inaugural meeting, County Treasurer Caleb Stidham provided an in-depth explanation of how property taxes are calculated and why they vary so widely across the county.
Key points from Stidham’s presentation include:
- Property Valuation: Taxes are based on a property’s assessed value, which is 35% of its appraised value.
- Millage Rates: A mill is equal to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.
- Inside vs. Outside Millage: Ohio law allows up to 10 mills of unvoted “inside” millage, while voter-approved “outside” millage remains fixed regardless of property value changes.
- Revaluation Impacts: As property values rise, tax bills can increase, even with measures in place to moderate inflationary effects.
Residents often find these concepts confusing, leading to misconceptions about their tax bills. Stidham emphasized the importance of public education to ensure taxpayers understand how their bills are calculated and how local tax laws work.
Upcoming Meetings and Public Engagement
The committee is committed to transparency and public involvement, with all meetings open to the public. To ensure accessibility, meetings will rotate across various locations in Erie County.
Upcoming meetings include:
- January 21: Ritter Public Library, 5 PM.
- February 4: Grover Township offices, 5 PM.
- February 18: Erie County Building in Sandusky, 5 PM.
These meetings will focus on specific topics, such as insurance costs, road maintenance, and public safety. They will also provide opportunities for residents to share their concerns and propose solutions.
Building on Past Successes
One example of effective cost-saving measures is the regional dispatch center established in 2009. By consolidating emergency dispatch services across jurisdictions, Erie County saved millions of dollars while maintaining high-quality service for residents.
The Blue Ribbon Committee aims to replicate this success by identifying additional opportunities for collaboration and resource-sharing among local governments and agencies.
Looking Forward
Committee members aim to deliver actionable recommendations by June 2025. These recommendations will focus on reducing government spending, lowering taxes, and maintaining or improving public services.
“This is about more than just Erie County,” said co-chair Jeff Krabill. “If we can create a model for reducing costs while maintaining quality, it could inspire other communities across Ohio.”
Moving Forward
The Blue Ribbon Committee represents a promising effort to address Erie County’s growing tax challenges. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings, engage with officials, and take advantage of educational opportunities to better understand their tax bills and the broader system.
By focusing on transparency, collaboration, and actionable solutions, the committee is working to create meaningful change for Erie County and its residents.
