The Ohio Senate's ongoing budget process has sparked concerns among farmers and the agricultural community due to proposed changes to property taxes and funding cuts. The Senate's efforts to address rising residential property values and their impact on property taxes could have unintended consequences for agricultural properties.
The Ohio Farm Bureau, represented by Brandon Kern, Senior Director of State and National Policy, has been actively engaging with Ohio senators to ensure fair treatment of agricultural landowners regarding property tax measures.
The proposed approach seeks to smooth out increases in property values for residential ratepayers by averaging the value based on three years of data, rather than relying solely on the year of reappraisal. However, this approach presents challenges for farmers as it may result in a disproportionate tax burden on agricultural ratepayers. The Farm Bureau has been working closely with legislators to highlight the need for consistent treatment of agricultural property taxpayers, similar to the proposed measures for residential ratepayers.
In addition to property tax concerns, the Senate's budget version includes significant cuts to key priorities in the agricultural sector. Funding reductions have been proposed for the H2Ohio water quality program, which aims to address water conservation and improve water quality statewide. Planned renovations for the Ohio State Fairgrounds and the Multi-Species Animal Learning Center at Ohio State University are also at risk due to the budget cuts.
The Farm Bureau has been a strong supporter of the H2Ohio program and advocates for its expansion across the state. They also emphasize the importance of funding the renovation and infrastructure improvements planned for the Expo Center and the State Fairgrounds, which would benefit farmers and the agricultural community.
The budget debate in the Senate is expected to continue until mid-June, with the aim of reaching a consensus on budget differences through a conference period. The goal is to pass a final two-year budget by July 1, addressing the concerns raised by Ohio's agricultural community and ensuring a fair and supportive environment for farmers and their operations.
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Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy