HOWLAND TWP., Ohio - Howland Township officials are predicting big losses if more tax breaks are handed out to seniors and homeowners.

The Trumbull County Commissioners are considering doubling the homestead and owner occupancy exemptions that would reduce property tax bills by 5%. While some taxpayers will feel the relief, Howland Township would lose a total of $272,000 annually. 

“It is a lot of money,” James Pantalone, the Administrator for Howland Township said. “People support township services and any reduction in that I mean here in Howland Township our residents are going to feel that.”

For just the owner occupancy increase the township would lose $71,000. The loss from just the Homestead increase would be $201,000. 

Pantalone said with less money, cuts could come to any department. Roads could see less attention with less patching or paving services. Fire and EMS could see stricter overtime and a reduction in staff. Pantalone said the EMS budget could drop $80,000 to $100,000 a year if both exemptions are approved. 

“We only have the ability to generate funding through property taxes we don’t have the ability to generate money through sales tax or income tax,” Pantalone said

The idea of exemptions comes at the same time citizens across the state push to get rid of property taxes all together. 

Township officials across the county, the commissioners and state representatives are meeting Wednesday, Feb.25 at 6 p.m. to discuss the effects the exemptions would have. 

Pantalone said in that meeting they will urge the commissioners to wait to see what happens with total abolishment of property tax efforts before deciding on these exemptions. 

Many local schools in Trumbull County have already said they are opposed to these tax breaks. The commissioners have said they’re looking to balance out the money they would lose by asking the state for more of a portion from the sales tax collected.