PRESS RELEASE – Today, State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) wrote to State Auditor Keith Faber, requesting that the auditor’s office conduct a full investigation into “serious allegations regarding the former Lucas County Auditor’s intentionally undervaluing properties” in the past, leading to a dramatic and sudden spike in property taxes owed by his constituents in Lucas County.
Williams expressed concerns after hearing from constituents alleging that property values were held artificially low in past administrations for political expediency, leaving potentially thousands of Lucas County residents on the hook for massive property tax increases that are simply too large and sudden to afford.
“I have heard from countless constituents who fear losing their homes due to this dramatic, sudden and ridiculous increase in property values,” said Williams.
“If indeed the previous Lucas County Auditor is to blame for artificially holding valuations low for a period of years, this is unacceptable and possibly corrupt. Now we are left to clean up this mess, and we will.”
“It starts with an investigation into how we got here and ends with strong legislation in the statehouse to protect homeowners and taxpayers across the state.”
“I will not rest until the political games stop, and homeowners are able to rest easy knowing that their homes will be valued properly, without political meddling.”
In addition to calling for a full investigation, Williams announced legislation aimed at relieving this pressure on Lucas County homeowners by reducing their tax burdens and putting in place safeguards to ensure this does not happen again in the future.
The Property Tax Deferred Payment Act would allow property owners to defer increased property tax payments until the time a property is sold, protecting homeowners and taxpayers from being victimized and unable to make ends meet.