Paying property taxes is like the delayed pain of paying Christmas credit card bills.

        In November, Southwest Ohio voters OK'd new charges for school improvements, better mental retardation services and improved police and fire departments.

        Now, the bills are due.

        Tens of thousands of property owners have sent off bigger checks to their county treasurers to pay their bills by today's deadline to cover property taxes for six months. In Hamilton County, a mailing error has pushed the deadline to Feb. 9.

Pete Witte holds his son Alex, and his wife Ann holds daughter Lilly. Mr. Witte doesn't believe property taxes are the best way to pay for special needs. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        There's more to come. Voters will be asked to approve more tax levies this spring and fall, which would show up on future tax bills.

        Although property taxes are increasing, few are imposed without a vote. Nowhere is that better illustrated than in Hamilton County, where voters have over the years approved 10 special taxes to pay for children's services, indigent health care, museums, parks, the zoo, programs for the mentally ill and the mentally retarded, seniors and police car computers.

        How much money does all that generate?

        Hamilton County homeowners are forking over a total of more than $230 million each year for the special levies. Property tax receipts have gone up more than 16 percent during the past five years — not counting any local tax for schools, roads or anything else.

        With everything added in, gross receipts are expected to top out at about $800 million this year, up from $780 million in 2000.

        Daniel Ison, a 47-year-old Harrison resident who has owned his home for six years, said the tax rate in Hamilton County is driving people away.

        “I'm not the only property owner who is shocked by the tax situation in Hamilton County,” Mr. Ison said. “My monthly tax bill has surpassed my grocery budget. I don't think this situation promotes living in Hamilton County.”

        Auditor Dusty Rhodes agrees there are too many special levies on the books.

        Mr. Rhodes said he believes all the special levies should be placed on the ballot at the same time.

        “That would force voters to prioritize,” Mr. Rhodes said.

        Agencies looking for local taxes schedule their requests so as not to bump into one another. These levies often run for four or more years, meaning there often are one or two levies on a ballot up for renewal or an increase.

        Chris Finney, an attorney for the tax watchdog group Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, said the county should be paying for most of the items footed by special taxes.

        “They always put on the things that tug at our heart strings as special levies,” Mr. Finney said. “Who is against paying for mental health or the zoo? So nobody ever says no.”

        But the money is crucial for those organizations struggling to provide services to, for example, the mentally retarded.

        Pam Long, spokeswoman for the Butler County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability Board, said the local tax accounts for 54 percent of the agency's budget.

        “It makes the difference between families being able to stay together or not stay together,” Ms. Long said. “Without the local support, we would have to make very serious and deeps cuts in our service.”

        Butler County Auditor Kay Rogers said residents often don't make the connection between approving a tax in November and a higher tax bill in January.

        “I feel their pain,” said the auditor, whose own bill went up $664 this year. “People just don't think of it relative to their homes.”

        In Butler County, voters approved two countywide levies in November, for children's services and mental retardation.

        Two of the biggest rate increases this year came from Hamilton County, where a Cincinnati home owner with a $100,000 house will pay an extra $175 because of a new school levy.

        Norwood also passed a school levy, which will cost a homeowner there about $45 a year extra.

        Clermont County homeowners are getting a relative break. With only a few special levies — to benefit seniors, the mentally ill and children — Auditor Linda Fraley said her phones have been quiet this year.

        “Usually, the day after the tax bills land, our phones start ringing,” she said. “Not this year.”

        Pete Witte felt like making some phones ring in Hamilton County. The 32-year-old Price Hill man has owned his home for two years and seen his taxes jump more than 8 percent in that time.

        Mr. Witte said he doesn't believe property taxes are the best way to pay for all the special needs in the county. Everyone gets to vote on the taxes, but then only those who own homes or businesses have to pay.

        High tax bills also can discourage businesses from buying in the city, Mr. Witte said.

        “There's just not as much disposable income there for my family, and some of that goes toward disposable diapers,” Mr. Witte said. “A few hundred dollars is what helps buy those kinds of needed things just to keep the household comfortable.”
       

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