CIRCLEVILLE, OH — The City of Circleville is preparing for a major shift in how residents pay for water and sewer services, a move sparked by a “pro-landlord” bill currently gaining momentum in the Ohio Statehouse.
On April 21, 2026, the Circleville Service Committee reviewed an emergency ordinance that would effectively end direct utility contracts with tenants. If passed by City Council, the city would only enter into new water and sewer contracts with deeded property owners ONLY. All existing tenant accounts would be forcibly converted into the property owner’s name within six months.
The Catalyst: House Bill 92
The local policy shift is a direct response to House Bill 92, sponsored by State Representatives Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) and Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky). The bill, which passed the Ohio House with a 70% margin and is now heading to the Senate, aims to restore what sponsors call “fairness and accountability.”
Currently, municipal utilities can place a lien on a landlord’s property if a tenant fails to pay their water bill. HB 92 would prohibit this, forcing cities to collect debt solely from the individual who signed the contract—often transient tenants who are difficult to track once they move.
“Responsibility should follow the individual who agreed to the service,” said Rep. Johnson. “HB 92 ensures that landlords and new tenants are not stuck covering costs they didn’t sign up for.”
Circleville’s Defense: “Protecting the Solvency of the Department”
While state representatives frame the bill as a win for property owners, Circleville officials view it as a threat to the city’s financial stability.
Utility Director Brian Frost informed the committee that approximately 33% of the city’s 5,300 utility accounts are currently held by tenants. Under current laws, the property owner acts as a financial backstop for unpaid bills. If HB 92 becomes state law, that security disappears.
“We are not in the business of picking sides between landlords and tenants,” Frost said. “What HB 92 would do is eliminate the provision to recoup those losses from property owners. We needed to do something to protect the solvency of our department.”
By shifting all accounts to property owners now, the city ensures that the person who owns the asset remains responsible for the utility bill, regardless of what happens in the Statehouse.
Concerns Over Affordability and Housing Vouchers
The proposal met with questions from Councilwoman Katie Logan Hedges, who expressed concern for the city’s most vulnerable renters—specifically those utilizing Metropolitan Housing vouchers.
Currently, many low-income residents receive utility assistance that is paid directly to the utility provider because the account is in the tenant’s name. If the bill is shifted to the landlord, there are fears that:
- Rent will increase: Landlords may fold the water cost into the monthly rent, potentially exceeding the maximum amount allowed by a housing voucher.
- Loss of Assistance: It is unclear if federal or state agencies can pay utility stipends directly to a landlord rather than a tenant.
“It becomes an affordability issue for a large portion of our population,” Hedges noted, urging the city to find a workaround before the final vote.
Next Steps
Despite the concerns, the committee voted to move the ordinance forward to the full City Council for a first reading on May 5, 2026.
If the ordinance is adopted, Circleville would join cities like Columbus and Cincinnati, which already require property owners to hold the primary utility account. For local landlords, the change means they will soon have to decide whether to include water in the rent or bill their tenants separately—knowing that if the tenant doesn’t pay, the city will hold the owner’s deed accountable.
