Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio: 09/11/14

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Ohio House Bill 576 - A Step in the Right Direction for Funding Maintenance Expenses at Township Cemeteries

Ohio House Bill 576 -- "To amend section 5705.19 of the Revised Code to lengthen the maximum term of a property tax levied for the purpose of operating a cemetery."

From Heidi M. Fought:

"The bill will allow townships to place upon the ballot a request for a continuous levy as opposed to just a 5 year levy. The OTA supports this legislation and worked with the sponsor before introduction. We are hoping to get this bill out during lame duck this fall and if not, passed next spring."

"The benefit to a township would be that they wouldn’t have to go back to the ballot every 5 years to renew a cemetery levy. It would simply be a continuous levy. That is all the bill does. We like it because cemetery maintenance is a mandated responsibility and so this provides a stable source of revenue should a township seek to put on this type of levy."

"If this bill should pass, a township would have the option of placing a 5 year OR continuous levy on the ballot. If the bill doesn’t pass, a township would still have the ability to place a 5 year levy on the ballot."

Heidi M. Fought
Director of Governmental Affairs
Ohio Township Association
6500 Taylor Road, Suite A
Blacklick, OH 43004
(614) 863-0045
(614) 863-9751 Fax