COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Franklin County Auditor’s office is returning $5 million to schools, libraries, parks, municipalities and agencies this November, adding up to a total $30.5 million that has been returned since Auditor Michael Stinziano took office in 2019.
Of that $30.5 million total since 2019, the office has reallocated $19.8 million to school districts, $2.4 million to municipalities, $1.5 million to townships, $867,456 to libraries and $5.7 million to government agencies.
“This money has a real impact on our budget, and we appreciate the operating efficiency of the Auditor's Office which makes this possible,” said Beth Collier, Treasurer and CFO of Grandview Heights Schools.
The money that is being returned is collected as required by state law to pay for real estate reappraisals and triennial updates.
“Under Ohio law, this redistribution is the closest the Auditor’s office can get to refunding money directly to the residents and businesses of Franklin County,” Stinziano said. “I am thrilled that through efficient operations and fiscal responsibility the Auditor’s office has been able to return millions of dollars over the years to schools, agencies and municipalities.”
Of the $5 million being returned this year, a majority of the funds – more than $3.2 million - is going to school districts across the county.
Additionally, Franklin County cities and villages will get $438,660, townships will get $245,969, libraries and parks will get $178,357, and county agencies will get $878,079.
The refunded money could be used for items like property tax relief, school supplies or other needs that benefit the residents and businesses of Franklin County.
