Springboro Schools is one of hundreds of Ohio districts facing a significant financial loss because of property tax reform approved by lawmakers in Columbus that was signed into law in December 2025.
Legislative Changes
HB 186
What It Does: HB 186 caps valuation increases during reappraisals to inflation using the Gross Domestic Product-Deflator (GDP-D) for districts, like Springboro, at the 20-mill floor. It also provides retroactive tax credits to property owners for FY23 and FY 24 (roughly $80-$100 per $100,000 of assessed home value).
The Impact: Instead of districts receiving local valuation increases (Springboro saw 25% in 2024 based on home sales and reappraisals), districts will be capped at a three-year national inflation average.
HB 129
What It Does: HB 129 includes emergency and substitute levies in the 20-mill floor calculation (instead of only current expense levies) beginning with the next reappraisal in 2027.
The Impact: Springboro has a 4.35 mill substitute levy that will be added into the 20-mill floor calculation in 2027. This will bring the district “off” the 20-mill floor by making our total mills 24.35. This would take away any inflationary increases from reappraisals until the district returns to the 20-mill floor.
HB 335
What It Does: HB 335 caps valuation increases for inside millage during reappraisals to inflation using the GDP-D.
The Impact: All entities who receive inside millage from a jurisdiction (school districts, police, fire, parks, etc.) will be capped to the GDP-D.
HB 309
What It Does: HB 309 expands the authority of the county Budget Commission to adjust or reduce the amount of money approved by voters through levies if the commission feels those funds are not needed or necessary
The Impact: HB 309 gives county Budget Commissions the authority to override the will of voters. Springboro carries low cash reserves, so it is unlikely this law would affect the district.
HB 96
What It Does: HB 96 changes school districts’ required financial forecasts from five years to the current year plus three future years.
The Impact: Reform changes are causing many districts to see major financial impacts in the fifth year of their forecasts. This change removes that “cliff” year so lawmakers don’t see the true effect of reform. For example, with HB 96, Springboro Schools shows $10.7 million balance in FY 2029, the final year of the current forecast. The fifth year of the forecast, FY 2030, shows a dramatic drop to just $3.7 million, or roughly 16 days of cash on hand to operate the district.