Reps. Click and David Thomas Introduce Referendum Ability Legislation on Unvoted Property Taxes

State Representatives Gary Click (R-Vickery) and David Thomas (R-Jefferson) introduced legislation that would allow for the ability of voters to referendum and lower or eliminate Inside Millage tax amounts on property owners’ bills. HB 421 grants the authority for voters to place on the ballot a question to lower or eliminate the unvoted portions of property tax which the sponsors say increase property tax assessments as values increase. 

“Inside Millage is one of the large aspects to the property tax bill which voters never had a say over and is the piece of the bill which goes up in cost as property values go up,” said Rep. David Thomas. “Giving voters the say over this unvoted increase part of their tax bill empowers the taxpayers.” 

The legislation provides the ability for voters to collect signatures numbering at least 15% of the total number of votes cast in the subdivision or other taxing unit for the office of governor to place the question on the ballot. The question can be to lower the inside millage amount for the local government or eliminate it. 

“Some of my other legislative pushes have included eliminating inside millage by state action, saving taxpayers on their current and future property tax bills, unless voters choose to increase their own tax burden,” said Rep. David Thomas. “The amount of fierce opposition to lowering taxes from H.B. 335 for example led to this concept, giving the voters then the ability to decrease it if they wish. Who can argue with voter control?”

Inside Millage is the original level of property taxation in the state of Ohio. Every property has a 1% tax or 10 Mills of Inside or Unvoted Millage assessed to it which is then given to that property’s county, school, and township or municipality. The total amount charged of unvoted property tax inside millage in 2025 is roughly $3.9 billion, according to Thomas, with this amount increasing as property values increase. 

“Taxpayers want essential services, and they want to pay for them. But they want a say over how much and in what form that tax exists. This legislation gives them that say and sparks the conversation that maybe an income tax for our police is better or a sales tax for EMS is a preferred way to fund it,” said Rep. David Thomas. 

This legislation comes as the Ohio Legislature prepares to return from summer recess and begin session in October. Rep. Thomas believes the Governor’s vetoes will be overridden in this session and additional important legislation, such as H.B. 421 will be vetted.