Outlandish! Insane! Are these people crazy? I’ve been getting emails and calls like this from residents about the recent property tax increases and those some of the nicer comments! Look I get it, my taxes went up a lot too, and it’s frustrating as we don’t have any control here. So why did they go up? Is it the city, the county or the state’s fault and how did they come up with these numbers?
Let’s start at the beginning; the State sets the valuation process and schedule for updating property values ( full reappraisals every 6 years with adjustments every 3). These are primarily based on recent real estate sales and market conditions. The county uses real estate data for these valuations , but the Ohio Department of Taxation oversees the process and equalizes the valuations to ensure statewide standards. So it’s not the County Auditor’s fault, she is simply doing her job per state law.
2026 is a full 6 year reappraisal and that’s why the increase is so large. Like everything else, home prices ( and values) have dramatically increased. Just look at the prices on homes for sale in your neighborhood and the folks offering more than these asking prices. While our home values go up, the hard pill to swallow are the tax increases that go along with this.
Now for the breakdown of your property taxes in Akron, about 75.5% goes to Akron Public Schools, 11.27% goes to Summit County, 8.97% to Akron with the remainder to Summit County Library, and Metro Parks. Cities in Ohio do not get a large portion of property taxes, and that 8.97% is proof.
So what can you do about all this? Property owners can meet with an appraiser to discuss their new value in one of three ways: virtually (appointment required), by phone, or in-person at a community meeting location. Phone and in-person meetings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Here’s a link to all dates of the community meetings and more detail on Summit County’s appraisal process. There will be a meeting at the Northwest Family Recreation Center , 1730 Shatto Ave on Wednesday August 26th form 12-8pm.
https://fiscaloffice.summitoh.net/index.php/news/428-fiscal-officer-scalise-announces-new-property-value-notices-to-be-mailed
Virtual appointments can be made by visiting https://fiscaloffice.summitoh.net/ and selecting 2026 Virtual Reappraisal Meeting