Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:31:24 -0400WeeblyTue, 30 Jun 2026 18:26:56 GMThttps://www.strongsvillegop.org/news/property-tax-report-the-facts-behind-why-your-property-tax-bill-keep-going-upWhy Did My Property Tax Bill Go Up?
Forty years of Ohio property taxes tell a bigger story than one tax bill.

Every homeowner understands the feeling.
You work hard. You pay your mortgage. You maintain your home. You do everything right.
Then the property tax bill arrives.
Again.
And it is higher than before.
At some point, homeowners start asking a very reasonable question:
If I own my home, why does it feel like I am still paying rent to the government just to stay in it?
That frustration is real. It is not just a Strongsville issue. It is not just a Cuyahoga County issue. It is happening across Ohio.
Strongsville GOP prepared these reports to help residents understand how we got here — not with slogans, but with numbers that show the long-term story.
The most important rule in these reports is simple:
Follow the invoice, not the sticker price.
There are different official ways to measure Ohio property taxes. These reports focus on the number that matters most to taxpayers: actual property taxes charged after reductions. That is the taxpayer-facing number — the amount Ohio’s property-tax system actually requires property owners to pay statewide.
When we look back forty years, the story is clear.
In 1986, Ohio property owners were charged about $14.4 billion in statewide property taxes, adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars.
Today, the number is about $24.9 billion, adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars.
That is a 73% increase after inflation.
This is not a story about prices going up. Inflation has already been removed. Ohioans are paying far more real dollars into the property-tax system than they were forty years ago.
This was not caused by Ohio adding lots of people.The first excuse people often hear is that government costs more because Ohio has more people.
The data does not support that explanation.
Over the same period that actual statewide property taxes charged rose by about 73% after inflation, Ohio’s population grew by only about 11%.
That means the property-tax increase was not mainly caused by more people sharing the cost.
The tax line went up dramatically.
The population line barely moved.
Per resident, Ohio’s property-tax charge rose from about $1,340 in 1986 to about $2,093 today, adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars.
That is a 56% increase per Ohioan after inflation.
That is why the issue feels personal. The burden did not simply grow because Ohio grew. The burden grew because government is requiring more real dollars per person through the property-tax system.
The mid-2000s dip tells an important part of the story.The property-tax line did not climb in a perfectly straight path.
Around the mid-2000s, the statewide property-tax charge flattened and dipped. That is not a mistake in the data. It is one of the most important clues in the entire story.
Ohio made a major tax-policy change.
The state phased out the tangible personal property tax on business machinery, equipment, inventory, and similar assets. That took a major business tax out of the local property-tax base. To avoid an immediate budget shock for schools and local governments, the state temporarily sent replacement payments back to local communities.
In plain English: part of the cost was moved off the local property-tax bill and backfilled from the state.
For a while, the taxpayer-facing property-tax number paused.
But the spending pressure did not disappear.
Schools, counties, cities, townships, libraries, parks, and special districts still needed money to operate. Local budgets did not vanish. The cost was simply being handled differently for a time.
Then the backfill faded.
State support was reduced.
The Local Government Fund, which sends a share of state tax revenue back to local communities, fell from its prior 3.68% share of state General Revenue Fund tax revenues to a much lower current share of 1.75%.
That is the bridge from the mid-2000s dip to today’s anger.
The local cost did not go away. More of it landed back on local taxpayers.
Property taxes are part of a much bigger government spending story.A property-tax bill cannot be separated from what government spends.
Ohio’s combined state and local government spending per resident has risen sharply over the last forty years, even after adjusting for inflation.
In 1986, state and local government spending was about $7,015 per Ohioan, adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars.
By 2022, it was about $12,425 per Ohioan.
That is a 77% increase per person after inflation.
Revenue rose even faster. Ohio’s combined state and local general revenue per resident increased from about $6,024 in 1986 to about $13,923 in 2022, adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars.
That is about a 131% increase per person after inflation.
So the larger story is not just that property taxes increased.
The larger story is that state and local government grew, spending and revenue grew, and the pressure on local tax systems grew with it.
The state did not stop collecting and spending. Local taxpayers simply carried more of the pressure through local tax bills.
Most real property taxes flow to schools.This is also why school funding dominates every serious conversation about property taxes.
In Ohio, most real property taxes charged flow to school districts.
That does not mean schools are the only reason tax bills rise. Counties, cities, townships, libraries, parks, and other local entities also depend on property-tax revenue.
But schools are the largest piece of the real property-tax bill, and that is why every reform conversation immediately becomes a school-funding conversation.
Ohio cannot seriously discuss property-tax relief without also discussing school funding, local government funding, spending growth, state aid, and replacement revenue.
HB 920 helps explain why the system is confusing.Ohio’s property-tax system is complicated, and one reason is HB 920.
HB 920 applies tax-reduction factors to many voted levies. In simple terms, it is designed to prevent some levies from automatically collecting the full benefit of rising property values.
That is why there is a difference between a pre-reduction gross levy and the actual taxes charged.
These reports focus on the actual taxes charged — the taxpayer-facing number after reductions.
But HB 920 does not stop every kind of increase. It does not stop new levies. It does not stop replacement levies. It does not stop emergency levies. It does not stop inside millage. It does not stop debt levies. It does not stop local spending decisions.
That is why homeowners can still see bills rise even with tax-reduction factors in place.
The bill is not rising because of one magic line on one form.
It rises because the whole system keeps asking local taxpayers for more.
Ohio is a major property-tax state.The 50-state report adds another layer.
When Ohio is compared to other states using actual property-tax collections, Ohio ranks near the top nationally by total dollars collected.
The report does not claim Ohio is the fastest-growing property-tax state in America. That would overstate the comparable national data.
The stronger and more honest point is this:
Ohio remains a large-dollar property-tax state, and Ohio taxpayers are carrying a much heavier local burden than they did forty years ago.
A homeowner does not pay a national ranking.
A homeowner pays a bill.
And in Ohio, that bill has become a major source of taxpayer frustration.
Relief, reform, or repeal?Ohio is now entering one of the most serious property-tax debates in the country.
Some voters want immediate relief.
Some want structural reform.
Some believe the system is so broken that Ohio should repeal property taxes entirely.
Reasonable people can disagree about the answer. But the starting point has to be the truth about how the bill got this large.
The facts show three things clearly:
Ohio property taxes charged to taxpayers have grown far faster than population.
State and local government spending and revenue have grown substantially after inflation.
State policy choices shifted pressure back toward local governments and local taxpayers.
That is the story behind the bill.
It is not just your house.
It is not just your neighborhood.
It is not just one levy.
It is a forty-year shift in how Ohio funds government — and homeowners are feeling it every time the tax bill arrives.
The first step toward fixing the system is understanding it.
That is why Strongsville GOP prepared these reports.
Read them. Share them. Ask questions.
Because every Ohio taxpayer deserves to understand why the bill keeps going up.

Reports

Ohio Property Taxes: Forty Years of Actual Taxes Charged
Download The Report (pptx)
Download The Report (pdf)]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:19:42 GMThttps://www.strongsvillegop.org/news/why-did-my-property-tax-bill-go-up-strongsville-gop-hosts-major-ohio-property-tax-town-hall

Property taxes have become one of the biggest issues facing Ohio homeowners.

Across Strongsville and across the state, families are opening their tax bills and asking the same question:
How did it get this high?

This is no longer a quiet concern. It is one of the most urgent taxpayer issues in Ohio.
In recent polling in Strongsville, more than 77% of residents said their property taxes are too high, while fewer than 5% said they are too low. That level of concern deserves more than slogans, talking points, and political spin. It deserves facts.

That is why Strongsville GOP is hosting:
Ohio’s Property Tax Crossroads: Relief, Reform, or Repeal?

Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Program Begins: 6:00 PM
Strongsville Recreation Center Community Room
18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville, OH 44136

This event is free and open to the public, registration is required.

Register here:
https://strongsvillegop.nucleuspages.com/events/ohio-property-tax-townhall?utm_source=sgop_blog

This will be an interactive town hall moderated by Strongsville GOP Chairman Shannon Burns, with ample opportunity for audience participation. Residents are encouraged to bring their questions, bring their neighbors, and share this event with others. Voters need to be informed on this critical topic before Ohio’s property tax debate reaches its next stage.

The evening will begin with a Strongsville GOP data presentation showing how Ohio property taxes have changed from the 1980s to today.

The numbers are striking.

Ohio’s statewide gross real and public utility property tax levy has grown from approximately $13.5 billion in 1985 to approximately $40.6 billion in 2025, after adjusting for inflation. That is not a two-year number. That is a single-year statewide levy figure.

Over that same period, Ohio’s population grew by only about 11%.

The basic point is clear: Ohio property taxes have not merely kept up with inflation or population. The property-tax-funded local government system has grown dramatically faster than both.

That growth has real consequences for homeowners, seniors, young families, renters, school districts, local governments, and every taxpayer who cares about the future of Ohio.

The debate has now reached a new level of urgency. A citizen-led petition effort to abolish Ohio property taxes has drawn major grassroots support and changed the statewide conversation. Supporters argue that the current system is broken and that homeowners should not have to keep paying the government forever just to remain in a home they already own. Opponents warn that full elimination without a replacement plan could create serious problems for schools, public safety, local governments, libraries, parks, and other services.

Strongsville GOP is bringing together some of the most important voices in this debate so voters can hear the arguments directly.

Brian Massie, founder of Ax Ohio Tax, is one of the leaders of the citizen effort to abolish Ohio property taxes. He will make the case for why the current system has failed taxpayers and why the repeal movement has gained so much grassroots momentum.

John T. Plecnik, Lake County Commissioner, has been a leading voice for property tax reform and taxpayer relief. He brings the perspective of a county official who understands both the pressure on homeowners and the realities of local government finance.  John is an outspoken advocate for the proposed ballot initiative that would abolish Ohio property taxes.

Greg R. Lawson of The Buckeye Institute, Ohio’s leading free-market policy organization, is one of the state’s most respected voices on tax reform. For nearly two decades, he has played a critical role in the effort to reform and reduce taxes in Ohio. Greg opposes the property tax abolition initiative, but he strongly believes Ohio needs serious structural reform to lower property taxes, restrain unvoted increases, improve transparency, and force government to operate more efficiently.

State Representative David Thomas also opposes the property tax abolition initiative, but no one in the Ohio House has been more aggressive in pushing property tax reform. Thomas has helped lead major legislative efforts to curb tax spikes, increase levy transparency, limit unvoted increases, expand the authority of county budget commissions to reduce unnecessary collections, and give taxpayers more control over the property taxes they pay.

That is what makes this town hall so important.
This is not a one-sided event. It is a serious discussion with leaders who agree that Ohio property taxes are a major problem, but who do not all agree on the solution.

The panel will address the questions voters are asking right now:
Why did property taxes rise so much?
How much of the increase is driven by school funding?
How much comes from local levies, state policy, and valuation increases?
What role did changes to state funding play?
What reforms are being considered in Columbus?
What would property tax repeal actually mean?
What happens to schools and local services if property taxes are eliminated?
What can be done now to provide real relief?
Audience participation will be a major part of the evening. Come prepared to ask questions. Submit questions in advance. Bring your neighbors. Share this event with your network.
Ohio voters need to understand this issue before they are asked to decide what comes next.
Whether you support repeal, oppose repeal, or are still trying to understand the issue, this town hall will give you the foundation you need.

Event: Ohio’s Property Tax Crossroads: Relief, Reform, or Repeal?
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Program Begins: 6:30 PM
Location: Strongsville Recreation Center Community Room, 18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville, OH 44136
Register:
https://strongsvillegop.nucleuspages.com/events/ohio-property-tax-townhall?utm_source=sgop_blog

Submit Your Property Tax Comments or Questions
This town hall is designed to answer the questions residents are actually asking.

Please submit your question in advance (info@strongsvillegop.org) about your property tax bill, home valuations, school funding, local levies, state funding, reform proposals, or the effort to abolish Ohio property taxes.  Questions will be grouped by topic so the panel can cover as many issues as possible during the event.

This will be an interactive discussion moderated by Strongsville GOP Chairman Shannon Burns, with ample opportunity for audience participation.

Bring your questions. Bring your neighbors. Share this event with your network so more voters can be informed on this critical topic.

Questions or comments?
Contact Shannon Burns
Shannon@StrongsvilleGOP.org
Personal Cell: 440-263-2915

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]]>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:05:57 GMThttps://www.strongsvillegop.org/news/decision-2026-statewide-meet-the-candidate-series-january-12th-candidate-spotlight-doris-peters-for-state-central-committee

Doris Peters -- Candidate for State Central Committeewoman — 24th Senate District
Republican Primary: CONTESTED (2 candidates)

Candidate Background:  Doris Peters is a Republican activist who has previously served multiple terms on the State Central Committee. She is currently running for the position of State Central Committeewoman for the 24th Senate District. Members of the State Central Committee oversee the Ohio Republican Party's operations between conventions.

About the Office — Why It Matters:

• The Ohio Republican State Central Committee:
• Elects party leadership
• Sets party rules and bylaws
• Decides whether to endorse candidates
• Shapes statewide party strategy

This role directly affects endorsements and party direction.

What Differentiates This Race
Contested SCC races often reflect differences on:

• Grassroots influence vs. insider control
• Transparency in endorsements
• Party reform and accountability

Recent News & Context

• SCC members play a growing role in endorsement and leadership debates ahead of the 2026 cycle.  https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/05/what-candidates-are-running-for-statewide-office-in-ohio-in-2026/

Campaign & Social Links

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorisduricapage/

Questions Voters Might Ask

• Should the Ohio GOP endorse in contested primaries?
• How will you represent grassroots Republicans?
• What reforms would you support within the party?

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]]>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:00:05 GMThttps://www.strongsvillegop.org/news/decision-2026-statewide-meet-the-candidate-series-january-12th-candidate-spotlight-marcell-strbich-for-secretary-of-state

Marcell Strbich -- Candidate for Ohio Secretary of State
Republican Primary: CONTESTED (2 candidates)

Candidate Background: Marcell Strbich is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and intelligence officer running for Ohio Secretary of State. His campaign focuses on election integrity, transparency, and administrative reform.

About the Office — Why It Matters:  
The Secretary of State is Ohio’s chief elections officer and oversees:

• Voter registration and election administration
• Ballot access and certification
• Campaign finance compliance
• Business filings and records

Decisions by this office directly affect how elections are run and trusted.

What Differentiates This Race
Key contrasts often include:

• Election security vs. voter access
• Audit and verification standards
• Modernization of election systems

Recent News & Context

• Strbich is one of two confirmed Republican primary candidates for Secretary of State.  https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Secretary_of_State_election,_2026_(May_5_Republican_primary)
• He has received organized conservative support and frequently addresses election-process issues in public media. https://www.facebook.com/StrbichforOhio/videos/4789902197902754/

Campaign & Social Links

• Website: https://strbichforohio.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrbichforOhio/

Questions Voters Might Ask

• What specific election reforms would you implement first?
• How do you balance election security with voter participation?
• What role should audits play in Ohio elections?

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