Monday afternoon, the Logan County Republican Party held its monthly luncheon, where State Representative Tim Barhorst kicked off the meeting.
Barhorst discussed a statewide initiative currently being circulated that calls for the abolishment of property taxes in Ohio.
Barhorst said:
The initiative is seeking signatures from community members in order to place the issue on the ballot in the near future.
According to the petition language filed with the state, the proposed amendment would add Section 14 to Article XII of the Ohio Constitution.
If passed, it would:
- Abolish all taxes on real property in Ohio
- Prohibit any future taxes on real property
- Ensure that no other provision of the Ohio Constitution could impose taxes on real property
- Define “real property” as land itself, all growing crops, and all buildings, structures, and improvements permanently attached to the land
- Take effect on the first day of the year after its passage
The campaign is now working to gather signatures in order to qualify the measure for the statewide ballot.
Also during the luncheon, Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds briefly spoke, seeking support for the 911 levy that will appear on the ballot this fall.
In addition, Jail Administrator, Lt. Tim Klingelhofer, gave an update on recent and ongoing improvements at the county jail.
Since September 2023, projects have included:
- Property sealing machines ($20,000)
- New shower system, new pumps, and work with a new chemical company ($32,000)
- Plumbing renovations, including toilets and sinks ($12,000)
- Installation of Fastenal vending machines
- Additional plumbing funds ($130,000)
- Total reconstruction of plumbing for hot water heaters ($30,000)
- HVAC system update ($250,000)
Klingelhoffer noted the jail also received a $549,000 grant, which has funded:
- $60,000 in polished concrete, flake, and epoxy in cell blocks, with another $50,000 to expand it throughout the jail
- $250,000 toward HVAC
- $130,000 for plumbing
- $28,000 for a padded cell
- $73,000 for jail server replacement
- $50,000 for booking and medical renovations
The jail has also launched a chicken program, which currently includes 20 laying hens.
To date, 214 meat birds have been processed, with roughly 280 still to go.
The meat and eggs help supplement meals for inmates at a low cost to the county.
