Buckeye Local School District

Understanding Property Taxes

Local property taxes are one of Buckeye Local Schools' main sources of revenue, along with state funding. These dollars help pay for teachers, transportation, building maintenance, utilities and the many services that support our students every day. Buckeye does not have a school district income tax, so local support comes from property taxes.

what is a mill?

Property taxes in Ohio are measured in "mills." One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. In Ohio, assessed (taxable) value is 35% of the market value set by the County Auditor.

Example: A home with a market value of $100,000 has an assessed value of $35,000. Each mill would cost that homeowner $35 per year, before any credits or reductions.

types of school millage

Inside millage: A small amount of tax collected without a vote of the people. Ohio law limits inside millage to a total of 10 mills, shared among the county, township and school district.
Voted operating levies: Approved by voters to support day-to-day operations.
Emergency or substitute levies: Voter-approved levies that raise a fixed dollar amount each year. (Not applicable to Buckeye)
Permanent improvement levies: Voter-approved funds that may be used only for long-lasting items such as buildings, roofs, buses and equipment.
Bond levies: Voter-approved funds used to repay money borrowed for major construction projects. (Not applicable to Buckeye)

buckeye and the 20-mill floor

Ohio law requires every school district to collect at least 20 mills in effective operating taxes. This minimum is known as the "20-mill floor." Buckeye Local Schools is a 20-mill floor district.

What this means for property owners: For most school districts, House Bill 920's reduction factors keep taxes from rising when property values go up. In districts at the 20-mill floor, the rate can't be reduced below 20 mills. So when the County Auditor raises property values during a reappraisal or update, school taxes on those 20 mills rise along with them. This is set by state law, not by a vote or a decision of the district.

What this means for the district: Being at the floor means some of the district's local revenue grows with property values. That growth helps Buckeye keep pace with rising costs without asking voters for new operating money as often.

How new state law changes this: House Bill 186, passed in 2025, limits how much school revenue can grow in 20-mill floor districts. Starting with the 2026 tax year (taxes paid in 2027), growth from the floor is capped at the rate of inflation. Eligible property owners will see the difference as an "Inflation Cap Credit" on their tax bills.

We'll continue to monitor these changes and share updates with our community as their effects on Buckeye become clear.

buckeye local schools property tax levies

LEVY	TYPE	VOTED MILLAGE	EFFECTIVE MILLAGE	YEAR APPROVED	EXPIRES
INSIDE MILLAGE	UNVOTED	4.30	4.30	PRIOR TO 1976	CONTINUING
OPERATING	CURRENT EXPENSE	19.61	6.48	PRIOR TO 1976	CONTINUING
OPERATING	CURRENT EXPENSE	8.00	2.64	1978	CONTINUING
OPERATING	CURRENT EXPENSE	5.00	2.24	1991	CONTINUING
OPERATING	CURRENT EXPENSE	6.50	4.43	2005	CONTINUING
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT	PI	1.90	1.28	2025	2030

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS

Ohio offers two programs that can lower property taxes on your home:

Homestead Exemption: Homeowners age 65 or older, or those who are permanently and totally disabled, may qualify for a reduction in property taxes if they meet the state's income guidelines. Qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses of fallen first responders may receive a larger exemption.
Owner-Occupancy Credit: If you live in your home as your primary residence, you're eligible for a credit on your property tax bill. Check your tax bill to make sure it's applied. Under recent state law, the Owner-Occupancy Credit will gradually increase over the next several years.

Applications for both programs are available from the Ashtabula County Auditor's Office.