The AG says inflationary tax hikes have pushed Ohioans to the brink – and a resident-led amendment could dismantle the system if counties fail to lead reforms.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is calling on county leaders to take control of the growing property tax crisis before voters take matters into their own hands and eliminate the system entirely.
“Ohioans are as angry as I’ve ever seen them – and rightly so,” Yost said Wednesday, addressing the Ohio Council of County Officials. “These inflationary tax increases are hurting everyone and, in some cases, are forcing people out of the homes they worked their entire lives for.”
Yost pointed to a nearly 19% increase in property taxes statewide from 2020 to 2024 – totaling an additional $3.8 billion – with homeowners and farmers shouldering most of that burden. He warned that a resident-led constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes altogether is gaining steam and could easily pass if lawmakers and local governments don’t act swiftly.
Lucas County is already living the crisis
Yost’s speech mirrors what Lucas County property owners have experienced firsthand.
In 2024, a countywide revaluation caused home values to initially spike an average of close to 32%, leading to sharp increases in tax bills. Outraged homeowners flooded the Board of Revision with more than 7,100 appeals. So far, about 2,444 property owners have won reductions, with nearly $850,000 in refunds or billing adjustments issued, according to county records.
An audit of the Lucas County Auditor’s Office revealed delays, software problems and internal control issues that contributed to confusion and inconsistencies in the revaluation process. Auditor Katie Moline has pledged changes ahead of the next revaluation in 2030.
Meanwhile, the Ohio State Auditor’s Office has launched an investigation into possible past mismanagement by former county auditor Anita Lopez, now a Lucas County commissioner.
‘Lead now, or the people will blow up the system’
Yost emphasized that schools, local governments, and counties depend on property taxes for funding and warned that failing to lead on reform now could devastate public services.
“Reform will be painful,” Yost said, “but not nearly as painful as trying to replace $20 billion in revenue that supports schools and local government.”
Yost called for a coalition of county officials – including auditors, treasurers and commissioners – to propose legislative fixes, such as valuation caps or new relief mechanisms for residents. He argued that county governments are best positioned to lead reform, given their direct role in setting and collecting taxes.
A statewide movement with Toledo ties
Yost’s remarks follow months of growing support for a constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes in Ohio. The group Citizens for Tax Reform is gathering signatures now for a possible 2026 vote, after just missing the July 2 deadline for signature gathering for the November 2025 ballot.
That movement has gained traction in communities like Lucas County, where public frustration over steep revaluations, outdated assessment practices and poor communication from officials has been widely reported.
In a March investigation by 11 Investigates, homeowners described their tax hikes as unaffordable and unfair – and local officials pointed fingers at both state policy and past administrative failures.
What’s next
Yost’s statement may add pressure on Lucas County officials to engage in statewide reform efforts. It also raises the stakes for state lawmakers who have taken steps toward property tax relief.
If the ballot initiative qualifies and passes, Ohio would become the first state in the nation to abolish property taxes, forcing a complete restructuring of how local services are funded.
This article was published by Victoria Dugger on 2025-07-09 15:59:00
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