COLUMBUS, OH – Attorney General Dave Yost called on elected county officials today to form a coalition to overhaul Ohio’s property tax system, warning that a citizen-led ballot initiative could otherwise eliminate it entirely. Speaking at 1:30 PM EDT on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to the Ohio Council of County Officials, Yost highlighted the growing frustration among homeowners.
“Ohioans are as angry as I’ve ever seen them – and rightly so,” Yost said. “These inflationary tax increases are hurting everyone and, in some cases, are forcing people out of the homes they worked their entire lives for.” He pointed to a nearly 19% rise in property taxes from 2020 to 2024, amounting to $3.8 billion, with residential and agricultural property owners bearing the brunt due to soaring valuations.
Drawing from his tenure as a former county auditor and state auditor, Yost emphasized that schools, counties, and local governments—reliant on property taxes for funding—must take the lead on reform. He warned that homeowners, fed up with rising taxes and income losses, are likely to support a ballot measure to abolish the system, which he predicts could pass easily if it appears on an upcoming ballot.
“Lead now, or the people will surely blow up the property-tax system,” Yost cautioned. “Reform will be painful, but not nearly as painful as trying to replace $20 billion in revenue that supports schools and local government.” He urged officials to act swiftly to avoid financial chaos.
