LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners agreed Wednesday to give taxpayers who own and occupy their homes a break of 2.5 % on next year’s property tax bill.

That’s on top of what state legislators recently approved to increase the owner occupancy credit.

“It may not be a lot of relief, but it’s some relief,” Commissioner Tim Ginter said.

The vote was unanimous, with all three commissioners voting yes.

“We were blessed with some opportunities, some tools the legislature gave us, and we exercised those today. It hopefully will help,” Commissioner Mike Halleck said.

The approval of the 2.5 % owner occupancy credit will mean a break for taxpayers, but will create an income loss for school districts, townships, villages, fire departments, police departments and other entities dependent on the property taxes.

“These aren’t always pleasant decisions,” Halleck said.

But he added that all the commissioners have received letters and calls from citizens, even people they know, regarding property taxes. Ginter recalled one man who visited who broke down in tears regarding the increases in property taxes in recent years.

“We have been inundated the last two property tax cycles,” Halleck said.

He explained that it’s always been his position that the legislature needs to fix the property tax situation, saying it’s so unfair to have schools and other entities rely on property taxes. For homeowners, he said “it’s almost punishment.”

“This has been the most concerning event regarding citizen outcry since my time as commissioner,” Commissioner Roy Paparodis said.

In recent meetings, the talk had been focused on the piggyback homestead exemption, with former county commissioner Dave Cranmer questioning whether the board planned to enact it and local school treasurers asking commissioners not to approve it.

State legislation allowed commissioners to decide whether to approve an additional homestead exemption to taxpayers who qualified, with the homestead exemption dependent on being 65 or older or disabled and under a certain income. The legislation also allowed for commissioners to choose whether to enact the owner occupancy exemption piggyback. Any resolution had to be approved on or before July 1.

Ginter explained that any talk about the homestead exemption was now off the table because the state voted to extend an additional reduction to homeowners who qualify for the homestead, which could equal as much as $400 to $500.

He said entities dependent on property taxes will be reimbursed by the state for the additional homestead reduction.

“We decided since the state was already doing that, we would exercise our option to piggyback the owner occupancy credit,” Ginter said.

The state also voted recently to increase the exemption for the owner occupancy credit for so much each year, starting with 5.7 % for next year’s tax bill, then 8.92 % for the following year, 12.15 % in the subsequent year and up to 15.38 % the year after that.

The state will reimburse tax districts for their loss from those increases.

So, for next year’s tax bill, property owners who own their home and live in it will see increases in the owner occupancy exemption of 5.7 % from the state, plus another 2.5 % approved by the county for a total exemption of 8.2 %. Taxing districts will be reimbursed for the state exemption, but not for the county-enacted exemption.

Ginter did clarify that the 2.5 % from the county is for one year and another vote will need taken next year to continue the exemption.

“I think it’s great for the citizens of Columbiana County. They’ll get a little bit of a break on their tax bill,” county Auditor Nancy Gause Milliken.

This break does not start until next year’s tax bills. It does not affect the second half 2026 bill coming out later this summer.

The commissioners were thankful for the employees of their office, auditor’s office and others who worked to make this happen.

County Recorder Jim Armeni, who attended the meeting along with Milliken, said there’s a quote that may be pertinent to what commissioners did, which Ginter also quoted, “What does the most good for the largest amount of people the longest period of time. That’s what you do.”

In this case, commissioners looked at the budgets for area schools and their carryovers and for other entities as well.

“We did not make the decision blindly,” Ginter said, adding that property taxes for the average person are “simply unsustainable, for some unattainable. We have an opportunity to relieve the pressure on people trying to make ends meet.”

“Hopefully this will give people some relief moving forward,” Halleck said.

mgreier@mojonews.com