Dear Bowling Green residents, families, and community partners,
I am writing today to share serious concerns regarding Ohio House Bill 335 (HB 335), which proposes sweeping changes to how local governments and school districts across the state are funded. If passed, this legislation would eliminate inside millage, prohibit the use of new emergency and substitute levies, and grant county budget commissions the authority to override voter-approved levies—without offering any mechanism to replace the local revenues that would be lost.
This bill threatens the financial foundation of essential services in our community, including public safety, infrastructure, and education. In Bowling Green, inside millage plays a crucial role in supporting core city services—particularly in areas such as police and fire protection, street maintenance, and public administration. The elimination of these revenues would result in an estimated $2.4 million annual reduction to the city’s general fund, which is approximately 11% of the city’s total general fund revenue. Nearly every department would be affected, limiting our ability to provide the level of service our residents expect and deserve.
This drastic measure would harm local government’s ability to provide services without the ability to raise taxes through votes of the electorate. It effectively undermines our local fiscal autonomy and forces us into a situation where we must rely more heavily on state funding or alternative revenue sources such as income or sales taxes, which may not adequately replace lost revenue.
Furthermore, our public schools would face devastating consequences. Without stable, predictable local revenues, Bowling Green City Schools could be forced to make significant cuts that would directly impact student learning, staff retention, and programming that our families have come to rely on.
We support the idea of thoughtful and transparent reform to Ohio’s property tax system. However, HB 335 is not that. It is a rushed and potentially reckless proposal that undermines local control, destabilizes community services, and removes the voice of the voter from the funding decisions that shape our future. Please reach out to your legislators today and urge them to oppose HB 335.
- State Senator Theresa Gavarone (R–OH 2nd District), Capitol Office: Senate Building, 1 Capitol Square, First Floor, Columbus, OH. Phone: 614-466-8060. Email: gavarone@ohiosenate.gov
- State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari (R–OH 75th District), House Office: 77 S. High St., 13th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: 614-466-8104.
Thank you for standing with us to protect our city’s fiscal health, local control, and quality-of-life services.
Mike Aspacher
Mayor, City of Bowling Green
