As we kick off 2021, your Franklin County Auditor’s office is hard at work ensuring that property owners continue to have their voices heard about their recently-updated property values following the completion of the Triennial Update.

The Board of Revision is now accepting complaints regarding property values through March 31, 2021. Filing a complaint gives homeowners the opportunity to present evidence to the board about a home’s value at a hearing or mediation, after which the board can adjust the value if warranted.

This year we’re working to make the process more convenient and accessible than ever before. Earlier this month, the Board added a new option to e-file complaints via its website. The web-based option offers convenience for homeowners and makes the process more efficient for board staff. Of course, owners can still file via mail, email or fax if they prefer.

To help lower-and middle-income homeowners, the office has launched the Franklin County Board of Revision Pro Bono Assistance Program which is designed to help qualifying homeowners file a complaint with the BOR. The free program consists of filing clinics staffed by real estate professionals who can also refer homeowners for possible further representation at their board hearing.

At the statehouse, I have pushed for legislation that would help business owners who file with the BOR as they deal with the negative impacts of COVID-19 on their bottom lines. HB 751, which passed the Senate but was not adopted by the Ohio House, contained a provision that would have allowed the Board of Revision to consider the economic impacts of the pandemic in filings made this year. I urge lawmakers to reconsider passing this important provision.

Additionally, I support changing current law to allow multiple BOR filings per three-year property value update cycle, which would allow business owners more flexibility in filing with the board. Current law stipulates that a property owner can only file once with the Board every three years between Auditor’s office property value updates.

Using the Board of Revision complaint process represents an opportunity to help homeowners and businesses during these economically tough times. I urge anyone who feels their property value is incorrect to take advantage of the BOR process and make your voice heard.

As always, if you have suggestions, I encourage you to contact me at (614) 525-5700, or at AuditorStinziano@franklincountyohio.gov.  

Franklin County Auditor’s Office Receives Highest Ranking for Transparency

The Ohio Auditor’s office has awarded Franklin County and the Auditor’s office a four-star ranking – the highest – as part of its SRS program that ranks transparency in government.

The ranking reflects compliance with state Sunshine laws and five or more best practices that promote transparency.

“My goal has always been to run an office that is transparent, accessible and accountable for Franklin County residents and businesses. I am pleased to see the office and the county have received this outstanding recognition from the state,” Stinziano said.   

The transparency audit noted the Franklin County followed six best practices, including using trained public records custodians, having a method to track records requests, and having an online presence that displayed office operations information and official documents.

Reynoldsburg High School wins January True Transactions Award

Reynoldsburg High School has won the January True Transactions Award for its outstanding record of using accurate scales in its athletic competitions.

“Congratulations to the Reynoldsburg High School Raiders, its staff and all of its outstanding student-athletes for their excellent record of using accurate scales in their games and competitions. Reynoldsburg High Athletic Director Jack Purtell works closely with our weights and measures staff to ensure the scales are accurate for all of their athletes, a trait of a great institution.” Stinziano said.

Since 1870 Reynoldsburg High School has served the city and educated thousands of students. The Reynoldsburg Raiders compete in numerous fall, winter and spring sports and have won state championships in girls volleyball and girls track and field.

Franklin County Is one of the Country’s hottest Markets, Year-End Sales Review Shows

Franklin County continues to be one of the country’s hottest housing markets, with large increases over the past year in both median home sale price and in total residential sales value, according to a 2020 Sales Year End Review released by Auditor Stinziano this month.

According to the review, the 2020 residential median sale value was $205,100, up 12.69 percent since 2019 and up 18.55 percent since 2018. In addition, the 2020 residential total sales value skyrocketed to $5.3 billion, which is an increase of 6.96 percent since 2019 and 14.19 percent since 2018.

The total number of residential sales was 24,332, a slight decrease of 3.39 percent since 2019, and a 0.98 decrease from 2018.

“In 2020, Franklin County continued its run as one of the strongest housing markets in the country,” said Mary Beth McCormick, Executive Director of the Center for Real Estate at The Ohio State University.

“These higher prices were driven by both increased demand and reduced inventory.  While the pandemic had some effect on these factors, this trend of strong demand and higher prices has persisted for several years.“

The 2020 Sales Year End Review is a compilation of the Real Estate Dashboard, a highly localized web app that is updated monthly and shows recent home sales on a GIS map. The tool can display sales data by municipality, school district, or area commission, giving homeowners a better sense of sales activity in their neighborhoods.

2020 Weights and Measures Report Highlights Inspectors’ Work

Auditor’s office Weights and Measures staff conducted more than a thousand inspections in 2020 and tested 12,676 devices like gas pumps and point of sale scanners, a report to the Ohio Department of Agriculture shows.

Inspectors responded to 23 complaints in 2020, including 11 about motor fuel, one about a scale and one about a price error. All of the complaints were resolved and the devices were corrected.

Inspectors also checked the scanners of 122 establishments for price verification, with 10,450 prices verified. There were 9 incorrect overcharges and 14 undercharges found, all of which were corrected. All 122 establishments passed inspection.

Of the total 12,676 tests, 1,656 were on scale devices, 8,403 on liquid measuring devices, and 261 on non-commercial devices. Any device that tested incorrect was re-tested and corrected. 

The Auditor's office oversees all of the county's weights and measures outside of the city of Columbus, ensuring consumers get what they pay for at gas pumps and retail store scanners.

Community Hours

Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly Community Hours meetings where residents can join ~virtually~ and share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the auditor’s office or any concerns they have.

The meetings continue a practice Stinziano has done since he was first elected to office. Community Hours will be held at the dates and times below on facebook @mstinziano. 

Monday, February 1st 1:30pm

Featuring Capital Baking Co.

Tuesday, February 9th 11:00am

With special guest Christie Ward, Mayor of Lockbourne

Tuesday, February 16th 11:00am

Featuring Bake Me Happy

Tuesday, February 23rd 11:00am