WARREN TOWNSHIP — Trustees and other township officials expressed their concern Tuesday that if an issue slated for the ballot in November 2026 to get rid of property tax, the township and others will lose funds to provide services.

Trustee Ed Anthony said he attended an informational meeting Monday in Howland on the issue to repeal the state property tax, which he said helps cover the costs for fire, police, and road services.

“It is the tax money that is providing these services. The schools will be affected even more than the townships,” Anthony said.

He said he predicts the issue will pass next year.

“There are people who feel it is a good idea to not pay property tax but that hurts counties, cities and especially townships. This is really a true dart against the townships. There is no plan in place yet if the property tax is eliminated,” Anthony said.

He said while counties and cities will lose money, it is not nearly as much as what townships will lose.

He said there is a concern that state officials want the townships to be annexed into cities and for school districts to consolidate.

Finance Director Chris Haught said while getting people to pay property taxes is difficult, in 2024 the township has 60% of the 4,000 residents paying their real estate taxes.

Haught said there also has been discussion of income tax replacing property tax since everyone who works pays income tax. He said townships are not allowed to place income tax issues on the ballot, but a proposal would allow townships with more than 4,000 residents to do so.

“There will have to be some way to pay for public services,” Haught said.

Residents asked about property taxes from new businesses in the township, noting recently a Joint Economic Development District agreement was approved between Howland, Warren city and Warren Township for the Kimberly-Clark project.

Anthony said the funds from the Ohio Lottery Commission have become less and less for schools and communities over the years since the lottery started in the 1970s. He said originally 22% was to go to schools and roads, but that percentage has dropped significantly.

He said marijuana dispensary funds for communities also have been reduced from what the state was originally going to provide.

Road Supervisor David King said he is concerned about less funds from taxes for road paving and improvements.

“It will affect the townships tremendously. This is a huge ordeal that will be coming up. We will face challenges to keep on running fire, police and roads,” he said.

SPEEDING VEHICLES

In other business, trustees and police heard from residents concerned about four wheelers and other similar vehicles speeding on roads, often late at night.

Resident Vicky Romack said there were two people each on two four wheelers and she said they came close to her back vehicle bumper.

“They were inches away from my bumper. What if I had to stop suddenly because of a deer? There are a lot of deer running around. I was concerned they were going to hit me,” Romack said.

She said the drivers on the four wheelers then started doing wheelies with two people in one vehicle.

“That is not safe what they are doing. I am not going to damage my car because of what these idiots are doing,” Romack said.

Other residents said there have been speeding motor bikes on their roads as well, noting they are not licensed to be on the roads.

Police Chief Ben Harrell asked residents to let the department know of the speeding vehicles and four wheelers.