As we enter November with frosty nights and brilliant fall foliage color, your Franklin County Auditor’s office is preparing for the annual dog license season which is just a month away.

This year, dog licensing is returning to pre-pandemic guidelines, meaning the licensing period where you can purchase licenses without penalty will run from December 1 through January 31. This offers ample opportunity to purchase your dog license online at https://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.

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 that any lost dog is returned quickly to their owners. License fees help support the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.

I hope you’ll join me this dog licensing season and Protect Your Pal by ensuring your dog is properly licensed.

Property Tax Assistance Program is Accepting Applications

The deadline to apply to the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) for help paying the first half of 2023 taxes is rapidly approaching on November 17. PTAP is a program that helps qualifying lower-income homeowners who are 60 years or older or permanently disabled with one-time emergency assistance in paying property taxes.

New this year, the PTAP income requirement has been adjusted to 200% of the federal poverty level to allow more homeowners to qualify for the program. Applications may be submitted online; by downloading a PDF application and emailing it to PTAP@franklincountyohio.gov or mailing it to Franklin County Auditor, 373 S. High St., 21st Fl., Columbus, Ohio 43215; or by calling the Auditor’s office at 614-525-HOME (4663). Please note, PTAP does not pay any taxes in arrears.

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, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, and several other partner organizations. For more information about PTAP, visit the Auditor’s office website.

Know the Value of Your Vote

With election day approaching and early voting underway, the Auditor’s office is reminding homeowners that the updated Levy Estimator is now available to help them understand how proposed levies would affect their property taxes. To use the Levy Estimator, visit https://audr-apps.franklincountyohio.gov/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 November general election.

As a reminder, early voting is underway at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Rd. in Columbus. For a list of hours visit the Board of Elections website. Mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before the election, Monday, November 6, or dropped off at the Board of Elections office by Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, by 7:30 p.m.

October True Transactions Award goes to North Country Charcuterie

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:

• Monday, November 6 at 12 pm – Virtual community hours featuring Belle’s Bread, northwest Columbus
• Tuesday, November 14 at 12:30 pm – In-person community hours at the Westerville Library, Meeting Room C, 126 S. State St. in Westerville
• Tuesday, November 21 at 10:30 am – Virtual community hours featuring Columbus Cheesecake Cafe, Pleasant Township
• Wednesday, November 29 at 8:30 am – In-person community hours at The Morning Ritual, 6400 Preserve Crossing Blvd. in Gahanna