Multi-million dollar mistake on Trumbull Co. farmers property taxes being corrected

Thousands of farmers in Trumbull County are getting a mistake corrected on their taxes. The auditor's office noticed the values that determine the farm's taxes were incorrect on the 2020, 2021 and 2022 bills. Now, some are getting refunds while others may owe the county. 

“This is kind of unprecedented,” Martha Yoder, the Trumbull County Auditor said. “I’ve talked to people statewide, this is the first time something like this has happened.”

Farmers in the county have their property taxes based on their soil type or what’s also known as Current Agricultural Use Value. It’s a process that’s supposed to give them a break on their bills. 

The state sets those values and sends them to county auditors to update before property tax bills are issued. Back in 2017, someone in the Trumbull County auditor's office didn’t update 17 of those soil values.

After current auditor Martha Yoder took office, the Trumbull County Farm Bureau alerted her to the mistake and the investigation into corrections started.

About 2,000 parcels were sent refunds totaling $1.2 million. However, 26 parcels were sent letters stating they owe money. Some of those bills are as high as $1,400.

It’s a mistake Yoder intends to not have happen again. 

“That is part of our checklist now so that we verify the person who’s supposed to do it does it, somebody else double checks it and makes sure it’s done,” Yoder said. 

Those who owe will see the amounts on their second half property taxes which are published sometime in June. Those who may have trouble paying can set up a plan with the treasures office by calling 330-675-2436, giving them the option of chipping away at it over the next two and a half to seven and a half years.

Nearly 470 refunds are still in limbo. Those were transferred to different owners during the incorrect value time. Yoder said that complicates things legally when trying to figure out who gets the refund.

“We’re doing our best to kind of sort through these,” Yoder said. “It's gotten very, as I said, very complicated.”

Any unclaimed tax refunds will be sent to the state.