Activists press county commissioners on petition to abolish Ohio property taxes; commissioners hear but take no action
Summary
Multiple residents urged Mahoning County commissioners to support a citizens'led petition to amend the Ohio Constitution to abolish property taxes; speakers said they collected thousands of signatures and emphasized senior hardship. Commissioners acknowledged comments but did not vote or direct staff on policy changes.
Mahoning County commissioners on Aug. 7 heard several members of the public urge support for a citizens'led petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio, but took no formal action.
Speakers told the commissioners they are collecting signatures for a constitutional amendment that would remove the property tax as a funding mechanism. "Our small group of 3 has held 14 public signings, gathering well over 2,000 signatures since June 1," said Lucy Fabio, who identified herself as a Poland Township resident and activist. Mike Young, a candidate for Mahoning County commissioner from Berlin Center, said he would sign the petition and described the current property tax system as "not fair."
The petitioners said they want to remove the state'level tie between property valuation and property taxes and leave decisions about replacement funding to the legislature in Columbus. Speakers cited scenarios in which homeowners lose property because they cannot pay taxes after medical emergencies or other hardships and said they want relief for seniors and younger buyers. "Once we abolish property taxes in Ohio, it is then up to the people in Columbus to fund public education," Fabio said.
Commissioners acknowledged the remarks during the public comment period but did not propose any county motion, resolution or formal direction to staff in response. The meeting record shows no vote or referral tied to the petition discussion. In general remarks later in the meeting several county elected officials and attendees reiterated concern about rising property tax burdens and urged state legislative solutions, but again no directive to the commissioners was recorded.
The public comment period is a regular part of the commissioners'meeting agenda and does not itself change state law. Any change to Ohio'level taxation would require action by the state legislature or a statewide constitutional amendment placed on the ballot. The petition speakers said they plan to pursue ballot access for November 2026.
No county funding, timetable or implementation plan connected to the petition was presented to the board, and the commissioners did not vote on any local ordinances or resolutions regarding property tax policy during the Aug. 7 meeting.
The board's next regular meeting was announced as the following Tuesday.
