County commissioners look to local permissive homestead exemption, reducing inside millage for property tax relief

MEDINA — As deadlines move closer, the Medina County commissioners discussed potentially implementing a couple of property tax relief mechanisms to help county residents. The board has had several discussions at previous commissioners' meetings about increased property taxes and what the county could do to lessen the impact on its residents. During the Medina County commissioners' meeting on Tuesday, the board discussed potentially rolling back some of its inside millage, while also creating a local permissive homestead exemption. The County Commissioners Association of Ohio's County Advisory Bulletin states that counties could roll back a portion or all of their inside millage. Medina County Administrator Matt Springer previously said Medina County is projected to receive an additional $3.5 million in inside millage. If the board made adjustments to its inside millage, Medina County Finance Director Brett Thomas previously said taxpayers would save $36 to $40 annually per parcel. House Bill 96, which became effective Sept. 30, granted two new property tax relief mechanisms: the creation of a local permissive homestead exemption or a local owner occupancy credit. Within Medina County, there are roughly 11,286 parcels as of 2025 that are taking advantage of the homestead exemption, Springer said, which is available for people who meet set criteria. On Tuesday, the board looked at the financial impact the creation of a local permissive homestead exemption would have on each taxing entity within Medina County. Medina County Commissioner Aaron Harrison said that those taxing entities that will benefit from the inside millage adjustments would make up the lost revenue due to the increase. There are a couple of taxing entities, like Guilford Township and Harrisville Township, that would lose less than $2,000 in revenue. Some of the entities listed — fire districts, libraries, parks and cemeteries — do not receive inside millage. The biggest impact of the lack of inside millage would be on the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which could lose more than $260,000, and the Medina County Career Center, which could lose more than $182,000. The board discussed the importance of making sure the two entities would be financially supported in other ways, such as during the yearly budgeting process. By going the homestead approach, Medina County Commissioner Steve Hambley said more than 11,000 low-income seniors would each receive approximately $1,000 in tax relief and more than 400 disabled veterans would each receive approximately $2,000. In addition to considering the piggyback homestead exemption implementation, the board also talked about doing a reduction of the county's inside millage as well. "I think it's a very responsible decision to tighten our belt also while helping the vulnerable populations with the homestead," Medina County Commissioner Colleen Swedyk said. As the board leans toward both piggyback homestead exemption and a reduction of the county's inside millage, the commissioners looked for ways to invite feedback from the taxing entities that would be affected by the homestead implementation. Following Tuesday's meeting, the Medina County commissioners sent a letter to the taxing entities, encouraging them to provide feedback in the next few weeks, whether that be by attending a future meeting or by approving a resolution. For the piggyback homestead exemption to be implemented for next year, the county must act to approve it by the end of the month. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.