PAINESVILLE – The Lake County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an optional homestead tax exemption, proposed a reduction in collections for the Lake County Crime Laboratory levy from 0.7 mills to 0.6 mills and the county auditor announced a return of $750,000 in real estate assessment fees to local political subdivisions.
These measures followed nearly an hour of public comment from residents who were on both sides of a proposed owner-occupancy credit that failed to advance for lack of a second.
The homestead tax exemption allows qualifying seniors and permanently and totally disabled homeowners to receive double the state-funded homestead exemption from the current average amount of $500 to an average of $1,000, according to a county press release.
“Politicians need to remember we work for the taxpayers, not government,” Commissioner John Plecnik said. “Our vote to double the homestead exemption and reduce levy collections provides real, tangible relief for seniors and homeowners without compromising the quality of services our residents depend on. That said, I am the first to acknowledge these property taxes cuts are nowhere near enough to solve the property tax crisis. No senior and nobody should be taxed out of their home, and I won’t stop fighting to cut property taxes for you.”
“I am committed to supporting our senior citizens and I am committed to maintaining the homestead exemption,” Commissioner Morgan McIntosh said. “It is my goal to make a decision that communicates my priorities and supports stability in budgeting. Considering the additional state reforms passed and the additional benefit coming to taxpayers, my decision balances the need for tax relief, the need to stabilize budgeting and funding our schools and local governments across Lake County.”
These programs will take effect for the 2026 tax year. No additional application is required.
During public comments, a roughly equal number of people spoke against and in favor of the owner-occupancy credit. Nearly all the commentors said the Ohio General Assembly had abdicated its funding duties to local public-school districts.
Speakers for Support Lake County Public Schools, which opposed passing the expansion of the owner-occupancy credit, claimed the average of $150 in tax savings per year for a Lake County homeowner was far outweighed by the $9 million in revenue they said school districts would lose.
In a pre-meeting statement, Support Lake County Public Schools did voice its support for the expansion of the homestead exemption.
“Voting yes on the local piggyback homestead exemption provides direct, meaningful relief exactly where it is needed most,” the statement reads. “It is a targeted measure that ensures our seniors can afford to stay in their homes.”
Board President Morris Beverage III said the owner-occupancy credit expansion provided minor benefits for homeowners but would cause real problems for school districts.
“The juice is not worth the squeeze,” he said.
In other business:
The board approved payment of bills in the amount of $8,131,950.83 and purchase orders totaling $2,164,311.93.
In legislation:
• Approving plans and specifications for the first phase of the Lookout Point subdivision in Painesville Township.
The engineer’s estimate of cost for the project is just over $2.3 million, according to an email to the board from Alan Exley, county engineer.
• Approving plans and specifications for the first phase of work on Sidley Boulevard in Painesville Township.
The engineer’s estimate of cost for the project is just over $1.4 million, according to an email to the board from Alan Exley, county engineer.
• Increasing appropriations for a waterline replacement on Green Street in Perry.
The appropriation is increased by just under $1.26 million – $3,000 for engineering support services provided by Civil & environmental Services Inc., with the remainder being a direct construction payment to Perry Village, according to an email to the board from Randall Rothlisberger, sanitary engineer.
• Certifying unpaid water and sewer sums, plus administrative fees, to the auditor’s office.
• Approving plans, specifications and estimates of cost in the amount of $289,217.50 for waterlines on Sidley Boulevard in Painesville Township.
• Approving plans, specifications and estimates of cost in the amount of $203,225 for sanitary sewer lines on Sidley Boulevard in Painesville Township.
• Approving plans, specifications and estimates of cost in the amount of $316,316 for waterlines at the Lookout Point subdivision n Painesville Township.
• Approving plans, specifications and estimates of cost in the amount of $781,069.30 for sanitary sewer lines at the Lookout Point subdivision n Painesville Township.
• Executing a contract with Harbor Vocational Services for workforce services for program year 2026.
• Authorizing first-half payments for various Lake County police prosecutors.
Payments were in the amounts of $600 to Mentor Police Prosecutor Lisa Klammer and $160 to Grand River Police Prosecutor James O’Leary.
Prior to adjourning, the board moved into executive session for the purpose of protecting the interests of an applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with an economic development project.
The next regular session meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, at 10:00 a.m. in the fifth-floor meeting room of the Lake County Administration Building, 105 Main St., Painesville.
