Mahoning County Commissioner: Property tax repeal could end townships

 YOUNGSTOWN  A Mahoning County commissioner cautioned Tuesday that there is no "quick fix" for property tax reform in Ohio, stating that any significant change to the state’s tax structure would require a major overhaul of how local governments are funded.

Commissioner Geno DiFabio, posting on Facebook after a statewide conference of county commissioners, said that a proposal to eliminate property taxes, which is currently a citizen-led effort to be placed on the state ballot, would likely be a "bad day for Ohio."

"The fact of the matter is there is no magic wand nor quick fix to the problem," DiFabio said. "Short of raising the sales tax and income tax, there isn’t a way for the funding that is needed to support Ohio’s government structure."

The ballot initiative, certified in May by the Ohio Ballot Board, aims to enable the legislature to modify the current property tax system, with supporters proposing alternative funding sources, such as an income or sales tax.

However, DiFabio notes that essential services and local governments could be at risk.

"Most likely, Townships would cease to exist," DiFabio said. "Vital and social services, as well as quality of life services, would be gone."

Gov. Mike DeWine formed a Property Tax Reform Working Group in July to examine ways to provide relief to property owners while ensuring continued funding for schools, fire, police, and other local services. The group, co-chaired by Pat Tiberi and Bill Seitz, is expected to issue a report with proposals by Sept. 30.

DiFabio warned that if the ballot measure passes without a state-level plan, it could have severe consequences for Ohio.

"It will be a bad day for Ohio if some major directives from the state don't come until the issue passes and there is no plan B," DiFabio concluded.