Tuscarawas County Library to host property tax panel

The Tuscarawas County Public Library System will host A Conversation About Property Tax: What’s at Stake if Property Taxes Are Eliminated at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at its main library.

“Conversations continue across Ohio about proposals to eliminate property taxes,” Library Director Michelle McMorrow Ramsell said. “This discussion will provide an opportunity for the community to hear how property tax funding supports services like public safety, education, senior services, veteran services, townships, cities, fire and EMS services, libraries, parks, developmental disability services and mental health services.”

The Committee to Abolish Property Taxes, also known as Ax Ohio Tax, has sought signatures for a petition to place a state constitutional amendment on the ballot to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. On June 5, the committee announced it had not reached its goal of 620,000 signatures to put the proposed amendment on the November ballot. The group announced it will continue to solicit signatures and target the November 2027 election.

“There is no doubt that there are valid conversations to be had about property tax, but it is important for the community to consider if eliminating property taxes is the right decision for Ohio,” Ramsell said. “The goal of the panel discussion is to talk about the impact abolishing property tax could have on our state’s credit and bond ratings, as well as the services that our friends and neighbors rely upon.”

Ramsell said statewide concerns about abolishing property taxes have led to the formation of a broad-based statewide coalition, Ohioans to Protect Public Services. Made up of Republicans and Democrats, the coalition has representation from more than 75 organizations, including business and labor, health care providers, emergency medical personnel, parks, senior caregivers and more.

State Rep. Jodi Salvo helped bring together a 14-person panel representing a cross-section of organizations and geographic areas of the county. Panelists include Larry Lindberg, county auditor; Greg Ress, Tuscarawas County commissioner; Salvo; Joel Day, New Philadelphia mayor; Greg DiDonato, Dennison mayor; John Fondriest, Dover Township trustee; Natalie Bollon, ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties; Jamie Smith, Senior Centers of Tuscarawas County; Jason Thornton, Tuscarawas County Veterans Services; Amy Adam, Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Ramsell; Randy Lucas, Educational Service Center superintendent; Capt. Adam Fisher, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office; and Chief Jim Parrish, New Philadelphia Fire Department.

Bob Scanlon will serve as moderator. The 75-minute panel discussion begins at 6 p.m. Time will be allotted for questions and answers at the end.

The panel discussion is open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. Those interested may register at the library’s online event calendar at www.tusclibrary.org or by calling 330-364-4474. The main library is at 121 Fair Ave. NW, New Philadelphia.