Last week, our Advocacy Vice Chair, Maura Black (Sibcy Cline), and Government Affairs Director, Mary Huttlinger, had the opportunity to speak with Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus about one of the most pressing issues our REALTOR® members, and their clients, face: rising property taxes. The discussion was candid, constructive and full of insight into how county and state governments intersect when it comes to tax relief for homeowners.
What we heard
Commissioner Driehaus made it clear: the primary “fix” must happen at the state level, not simply by shifting burdens to counties. She noted that Ohio’s property-tax framework is established and controlled by the Ohio State Assembly, with counties primarily serving as administrators executing state policy.
“Counties don’t create the rules; we carry them out,” she explained. “We can and should advocate for reform, but the real authority lies in Columbus. That’s where structural change has to happen.”
She acknowledged the need for reform — and stressed her support for responsible proposals that fairly address homeowners’ tax burdens while protecting the essential local-service formula that funds schools, EMS, senior and adult-services programs, and public safety programs. She emphasized that revenue for those programs must be maintained.
Frustration was evident: Commissioner Driehaus noted that the state has a “healthy rainy day fund” and in lieu of property tax reform, has not leveraged that resource to provide immediate meaningful homeowner relief. She believes the state’s inaction is part of the reason the problem has landed on county officials.
RAGC’s GAD, Mary Huttlinger shared, “Commissioner Driehaus’s honesty and her willingness to collaborate are invaluable. This conversation reminded us that advocacy isn’t about blame — it’s about building understanding across every level of government so we can protect homeownership and neighborhood stability.”
On a positive front, she shared that she participated in the bipartisan property-tax working group convened by Governor DeWine — a group that recently produced 20 solutions the Ohio Statehouse to consider. Two of those—House Bill 335 and House Bill 186 — just passed the Ohio House this week, offering early signs of progress. She is hopeful these measures will be signed into law and begin to move the needle for homeowners.
Understanding HB 335 and HB 186
House Bill 335, the Property Tax Relief Now Act, takes a comprehensive look at how local “inside millage” (unvoted tax authority) is managed. It would limit the ability of local governments to increase revenue through unvoted millage expansions and give county budget commissions greater oversight, ensuring that property-tax growth is more predictable and transparent.
For example, it prohibits many political subdivisions from levying inside millage, and gives county budget commissions more authority to review and modify local levies.
Advocates say HB 335 would provide billions in relief to property owners; critics warn it could shift billions in revenue losses to school districts and local governments.
House Bill 186 addresses school-district property-tax collections. It would restrict growth tied to rising property values by adjusting the “20-mill floor” to the rate of inflation and ensuring the state’s school-funding formula offsets any reductions. Together, these measures could deliver targeted, sustainable relief without undermining funding for critical community programs.
It also requires a corresponding adjustment in the school-funding formula to reflect these changes.
The Legislative Service Commission projected the property-tax credits from HB 186 would be approximately $41.9 million in tax year 2025, increasing to ~$64.4 million in 2026
“Our members see the stress that unpredictable tax increases place on families and seniors,” said Maura Black, Advocacy Committee Vice Chair and 2026 Chair. “It’s easy to direct frustration at county leaders, but this issue is layered. The real solutions live in state reform — and REALTORS® are ready to help communicate that truth to the public.”
Why this matters for our REALTOR® members
We often hear from members about the climb in property-tax burdens, especially for long-time homeowners and those on fixed incomes. The
conversation with Commissioner Driehaus underlined a crucial point: while county play an important role, the legal authority and structural mechanics of Ohio’s property-tax system rest at the state level — with the General Assembly and state law.
This means RAGC’s Advocacy efforts must operate on two fronts:
- Ensuring our county commissioners and county officials understand member concerns and support fair local implementation, and
- Keeping active in Columbus to support state-level reform that enables long-term relief for homeowners.
We are fortunate to have a skilled Government Affairs team working vigorously in the state capital. This is a moment for REALTORS® not to accept deflection (“It’s the county’s fault”) but to help educate members about how property taxes are governed in Ohio — the layers of government involved — and how reforms like HB 335 and HB 186 reflect real movement.
Thank you, Commissioner Driehaus
RAGC is grateful to have a public servant like Commissioner Driehaus who leads with candor, intention, and dedication to Hamilton County residents. Together, we can ensure the conversation around property-tax reform remains constructive, data-driven, and focused on real solutions.
➡️ Click here to view a copy of the Governor’s property-tax working group recommendations.