fb thread- County Auditor fb page

[MsDandy]

(Auditor posted a notice about a Homestead Exemption session in Wadsworth Older Adults Aug 13th. These are the comments as of Aug 27th, 2025
If you would stop raising our property valuations, it would be a step in the right direction. Taxing us on unrealized capital gains is not right, and probably unconstitutional. Also, I have not see a good explanation as to where all of that additional tax revenue is going.
Medina County Auditor Anthony Capretta:
Jack Loparo Jr. Thank you for sharing your concerns. I want to clarify an important point: the County Auditor does not raise taxes. The Auditor’s role is to ensure that property values are fair and accurate based on current market data. Ohio law requires that properties be reappraised every six years (with an update at the three-year mark) so that similar homes in the same neighborhood are treated equitably.
When property values go up, it doesn’t mean the Auditor has increased your taxes. Instead, your local tax rates are determined by the levies and millage approved by voters in your community. In fact, state law includes protections so that schools and local governments don’t automatically receive a windfall when property values rise—most voted levies are adjusted downward to prevent over-collection.
As for where tax revenue goes, every dollar collected is distributed back to the taxing entities in your community, such as your schools, township, city, libraries, and other local services. The Auditor’s office simply acts as the administrator to ensure taxes are collected and distributed properly.
If you have questions about tax rates or how your tax dollars are being spent, those are determined by the local governments and school boards you elect, as well as through any levies placed on the ballot. Reaching out directly to your city, township, or school district officials is the best way to get answers about how those rates are set and how funds are used.
I hope this helps clear up the distinction. The Auditor’s responsibility is fairness in valuation—not setting tax rates or deciding how tax dollars are spent.
Jack Loparo Jr.:
Medina County Auditor Anthony Capretta Thank you for your response. The people who work at the Auditor's office are always kind and helpful, and nice to talk to. That is much appreciated! I Would like to point out the fact that inside millage is not voted on, and is not rolled back. So, our schools system does gain a windfall when our property values go up. Also, you forgot the 20 mill floor, which Highland levies are at. That means, again, no rollback, higher taxes for homeowners, and a windfall for the school system. On top of that, the school board had the audacity to put yet another levey on the ballot last May! It didn't pass, but they will keep pushing until it does. This is why we think it is time to end this convoluted system. End the problems caused by ignorance, and abuse. End the burden on our seniors, and people on fixed Incomes. End property taxes all together... Services can be funded in other ways.

Medina County Auditor Anthony Capretta
Jack Loparo Jr. :Thank you for the kind words about our staff — we truly appreciate that. You are correct that there are portions of property taxes, such as inside millage and situations where the 20-mill floor applies, that do not get reduced when property values increase. In those cases, school districts and local governments can see additional revenue when valuations rise.
That said, it’s important to remember that those millage rates are set by law and local decision-making — not by the County Auditor. Our role is simply to carry out what state law requires: ensuring all properties are fairly and equitably valued so that the tax burden is shared appropriately among property owners.
We also recognize the real impact that property taxes have on seniors and those on fixed incomes. Programs such as the Homestead Exemption are in place to help qualifying homeowners lower their tax burden, and our office is always glad to help residents apply for that relief.
We know the property tax system can feel complicated, and your concerns about affordability are shared by many. While broader changes to how schools and services are funded would have to come from the legislature, please know that our office will continue doing everything within our responsibility to ensure fairness, accuracy, and transparency.

 

[MsDandy]

Melissa Bevier Clifford:
I would love help understanding the process of the auditor office collecting the taxes and then how those amounts are appropriated and ultimately distributed to the respective school district. On continuous levies for school districts at the 20 mill floor, we saw record increases in the amounts collected for our district each year since 2020. We see that real estate appraisal/update spikes cause automatic property tax bill hikes/surplus revenue to schools because it is based on the millage of the levies (not a fixed amount like the outside levy mills). Where in the process of the auditor's office and getting ready to distribute the dollars to the schools, is the school informed of the amount collected to see that it is over the amount their district electorate initially understood they approved? And then from there, I know of no school that declined taking these $ amount surpluses every year since they started spiking in 2020. But what is the way your office checks any accountability of what these schools are using the excess money for? What would be the way that school officials could decline taking the recognized surplus for the year? Until they work it out with their district taxpayers or state legislators enact reform, or the growing citizens' ballot initiative calling for full elimination of property tax next year passes.
Medina County Auditor Anthony Capretta:
I appreciate your thoughtful question—this can be confusing, so let me break it down:
The Auditor’s Office does not collect or keep property taxes. We value property and calculate the bills based on rates voters approved. The County Treasurer collects the taxes and then distributes them to schools and local governments according to Ohio law.
Most voted levies are protected by “HB 920.” That means schools generally do not get windfalls when values rise—the millage is automatically reduced to keep collections at the same dollar amount voters approved.
Emergency and Bond Levies are recalculated every year by the Auditor’s Office based on current valuations. These levies don’t see revenue spikes from the 20-mill floor.
Where increases happen is in Operating Levies and “inside millage” (the unvoted 10 mills). If a district is at the state-mandated 20-mill floor, property value increases can generate additional revenue. That requirement is set in state law, and schools don’t have the option to refuse it once certified.
Accountability and spending decisions are outside the Auditor’s Office. Elected school boards determine how funds are used, and their budgets are public. In theory, a school could request to collect less, or the County Budget Commission could lower certain levy rates, but in practice, some schools even plan for those 20-mill floor increases in their long-term budgets.
In short: our office calculates values and applies voter-approved rates, the Treasurer collects and distributes, and oversight of how funds are spent rests with school boards and ultimately the voters. Any changes to how schools are funded—including the 20-mill floor—would require action by the legislature.
Melissa Bevier Clifford:
Medina County Auditor Anthony Capretta Thanks for detail. I have further questions about the "in theory" part you mention above and will seek further. I was thinking of attending the next County Budget Commission meeting to start understanding that better too. Thank you.