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As we head into Spring and property tax bills are on the horizon, it can be hard for older homeowners on fixed incomes to pay their property taxes and remain in their homes. One way your Franklin County Auditor’s office can help is the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP), which is designed to help lower-income older homeowners with one-time emergency assistance with paying property taxes.
New this year, the deadline to apply for the program has been moved up to April 15 so that staff have more time to process more applications so that more older homeowners can remain in their homes.
The PTAP program, which is administered by the Auditor’s office, has been expanded since last year thanks to thousands of dollars in funding from Franklin County Commissioners, and I encourage any qualified homeowner who needs help to apply to the program.
PTAP provides emergency one-time property tax assistance to low-income homeowners age 60 or older and was historically funded by donations. But with the support of the commissioners, the Auditor’s office hopes to expand the number of homeowners getting help from the program.
PTAP applications are reviewed by a Board that includes the Franklin County Auditor’s office, Franklin County Treasurer’s office, Franklin County Office on Aging, and Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging.
Applications are due by April 15. Information about the program and an application can be found on the Auditor’s office website. I strongly encourage anyone who qualifies and needs assistance in paying their property taxes and remaining in their homes to apply to this important program.
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Michael Stinziano
Franklin County Auditor |
Auditor’s office to hold 2nd Shred Hunger Event
The Franklin County Auditor's office is partnering with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) and St. Stephen’s Community House with support from the North Linden Area Commission and South Linden Area Commission to bring shredding and electronic waste recycling services to Franklin County residents.
Community members are invited to bring their unwanted paper documents and electronics to St. Stephen’s Community House on April 30 from 1 pm to 4 pm to have them collected and recycled in a safe, secure, and environmentally friendly way. This drive-through style event will take place in the parking lot of St. Stephen’s Community House, with staff and volunteers available to direct the flow of traffic and assist with vehicle unloading.
Among the materials that are accepted for e-recycling are: computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, cellphones, MP3 players, printers, copiers, printer cartridges, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, LCD TVs, cameras, batteries of any kind, cables, hard drives, keyboards, and mice.
Household appliances, vacuum cleaners, lamps, and lightbulbs are not accepted.
Participants are also encouraged to bring nonperishable food and household items for donation to the St. Stephen’s Food and Nutrition Center. In particular, St. Stephen’s is currently in need of the following items: Soup, canned fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, cereal, pasta, condiments, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, and laundry detergent.
Click here for additional information via our Facebook event.
 The Value of Your Vote
With the May Primary approaching, Auditor Stinziano is reminding voters that the updated Levy Estimator is available to help residents understand how levies and bond issues on the ballot will affect their property taxes.
Levies and bond issues are on the ballot in several jurisdictions across the county, including Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, Whitehall, Jefferson Township, Franklin Township and Mifflin Township.
To use the Levy Estimator, visit franklincountyauditor.com/levyestimator. After selecting your home’s location or entering a parcel number, the estimator will show both your current and estimated taxes if a levy or bond issue in your jurisdiction passes in the May primary.
Early and absentee voting begins April 5 and will run through May 2. As a reminder, mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by May 2, or dropped off at the Board of Elections office at 1700 Morse Rd. by 7:30 p.m. on May 3, primary election day.
Election day is May 3, and polls across the county will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. For more information about voting and early voting hours, visit the Board of Elections website.
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Employee Spotlight - Dianna Launer
One of the Auditor’s office employees helping residents apply for the Property Tax Assistance Program and with other inquiries is Public Information Specialist Dianna Launer.
As a member of the public information team, Dianna is on the front lines, providing constituent service by answering inquiries via the phone, email and mail. She joined the office 3 ½ years ago and said she strives to provide professional, thorough and consistent service to the residents of Franklin County.
“Every day is different, and we work together as a team,” she said. “There is a spirit of professionalism and a joy of having fun too.”
Fun fact: both inside and outside of the office, Dianna is renowned for her spectacular singing voice.
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 Deadlines for Dog Licensing and Filing Complaint with BOR Approaching
The deadline to license your dog without penalty and to file a complaint about your home value with the Franklin County Board of Revision is rapidly approaching on March 31.
Dog licenses may be purchased online at doglicense.franklincountyohio.gov, or at the Auditor’s office license counter, 373 S. High St., 21st Floor in downtown Columbus. The counter is open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm.
Owners can also change addresses, download forms and update dog information via the online licensing system.
In addition to being required by state law, dog licensing ensures that a dog has been vaccinated against rabies, which is required in Franklin County. It also ensures any lost dog is returned quickly to their owners. License fees help support the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.
Meanwhile, homeowners have through March 31 to file a complaint with the Board of Revision if they disagree with the appraised value of their properties as set by the Auditor’s office. After filing with the Board, a meeting will be scheduled where homeowners can submit documents supporting a change in value. The complaint could also be chosen for mediation, which is a more informal process that can be an efficient way to resolve a complaint.
For more information and to file a complaint with the BOR online, visit the board’s website.
 Linworth Animal Hospital wins March True Transactions Award
Linworth Animal Hospital in Worthington won the March True Transactions Award for its spotless record of using of accurate scales in their excellent care of pets.
“Congratulations to the team at Linworth Animal Hospital on their outstanding record of using accurate scales while treating and caring for our pets,” Auditor Stinziano said. “Linworth works proactively with Weights and Measures inspectors to ensure accurate scales, a trait of a great veterinary practice.”
Linworth Animal Hospital was founded in 1968 and serves Worthington and surrounding areas, handling all medical situations involving cats and dogs. It is located at 2133 W. Dublin-Granville Rd. in Worthington.
SAVE THE DATE: Auditor’s office to hold Affordable Housing Fair
The Auditor’s office will be holding an Affordable Housing Fair on May 14 to promote affordable, accessible, and high-quality housing and social services. Attendees will be able to take advantage of resources offered by community housing and social support organizations as well as various family-friendly arts, crafts, and other interactive activities.
The fair will be held at the Westgate Community Center, 455 S. Westgate Ave. in Columbus, on Saturday, May 14 from 1 pm to 4 pm. All are welcome to attend.
 Community Hours
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly Community Hours meetings where residents can stop by and visit, or join virtually via Facebook @mstinziano, and share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the Auditor’s office or any concerns they have.
Community Hours will be held at the dates and locations listed below.
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4/4/22 at 2pm, virtual community hours featuring Marble Cliff and Anthony Thomas Candy Shoppe
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4/12/22 at 10am, in-person community hours at Perry Township Hall – 7125 Sawmill Rd Dublin, OH 43016
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4/20/22 at 10:30am, virtual community hours featuring Blendon Township and Delaney’s Diner
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4/28/22 at 3pm, in-person community hours at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Reynoldsburg Branch (Study Room) – 1402 Brice Rd Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
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