ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — During Wednesday’s Belmont County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commission President J.P. Dutton responded publicly to River News regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes across Ohio.
The measure is being driven by a grassroots group called Ax OH Tax, which is working to gather enough signatures to place the issue on a future statewide ballot following concerns of property owners across the Buckeye State who are fed up with soaring taxes.
When asked during the meeting whether the board or any individual commissioners had taken a position on the proposal, Dutton said no formal stance had been made at this time.
“With the property tax proposed amendment for the Ohio Constitution, we’ve been looking to get guidance,” Dutton said. “There will be more coming from our state association—the County Commissioners Association of Ohio—which is actively tracking this.”
River News polled approximately 50 Belmont County political leaders on their positions on the property tax issue via an email sent to each on July 25. We contacted county commissioners, township trustees and mayors, asking them to respond by August 1. Now, more than two weeks later, only one official, a township trustee, has responded.
Dutton indicated that the board is still gathering information on the issue and weighing the potential implications.
“We’re still getting guidance and there will be some more from our association that are tracking this, obviously more of the state, but we’re trying to find guidance in the individual county that will give the function of where we stand,” Dutton said.
The proposed amendment, led by Ax OH Tax, aims to eliminate all property taxes in the state of Ohio, arguing that doing so would protect homeowners and remove what the group describes as a form of “forced rent” to the government. However, the measure has sparked concern among local leaders across the state who warn that such a move would upend the funding model for schools, emergency services, and local governments.
Dutton reiterated that no official position had been adopted by the Belmont County Board of Commissioners but said they would continue reviewing information as it becomes available.
River News is hosting petition signing drives to place the proposed property tax elimination amendment on the Ohio ballot. You can sign the petition at the WOMP/Big Willie station on High Ridge Road/County Road 214 in Bellaire and The River Radio station at the Fort Steuben Mall in Steubenville every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.
