I have friends in education and we discuss the need for a new BG High School often. I want desperately to support the new levy and our kids, but the amount being asked and the timing scare me!
Wood County recently re-appraised all our property values (shown on the Auditor’s website, www.auditor.co.wood.oh.us, 2023 Tentative Values). The value of my home went up 30%. I called the Auditors office to inquire about how much that alone (without the increase for the school levy) would increase my taxes. The (very nice) lady I spoke with estimates that will increase my taxes about 10%. Add to that the estimated $194 per $100k home value property tax increase for the proposed school levy (as reported on WTVG13).
I am looking at a 25%+ increase in my property taxes next year. NOTE: My research on this once again points to how ridiculous Ohio’s school funding is as it’s extremely difficult to get any straight/definitive answers on “how much this will cost me”.
As much as we all want to do things based on how good it will be for our kids/seniors/parks & rec (or whatever other worthy cause), the bottom line for most of us as we go to vote is “Can my budget afford this”.
Tina Shultz
Bowling Green
