Taxes Up a Bit for Residents, Revenue Relatively Steady for Schools

Property values in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights area have gone down slightly, causing millage rates to go up a bit for property owners.

Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Karen E. Obratil said there was a slight increase in the millage rate this year—about half a percent.

“There’s not a significant difference between this year and last year,” Obratil said.

Obratil explained the changes during at the . The tax budget for fiscal year 2013 that was approved by the board on Monday is largely based on estimates, Obratil said.

According to the tax budget, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights schools could expect to collect about $37.6 million for the general fund in 2012—if 100 percent of taxes are collected. The actual collection rate is about 96 percent, according to the report.

The tax budget document shows the county that the district has a need for its tax revenue and names expected revenue streams and estimated spending for the year.

The 2013 fiscal year begins on July 1, 2012. The tax budget must be approved by Jan. 15 and submitted to the county soon after. While Obratil said this document is not used to determine the district’s annual budget, it does let board members know whether millage rates or property values have changed.

The amount of money that school districts receive from levies stays flat regardless of property value—but that means the millage rate fluctuates for homeowners. “Inside” millage, which is shared by different government entities, increases or decreases with property value. Since there was little change in property value, tax revenue is expected to be similar to fiscal year 2012 for the schools.