Property owners can apply for tax relief

There will be a briefing Thursday for public agencies needing help repairing damage.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Auditor George Tablack is reminding property owners that they may claim a reduction in the taxable value of their property if it has been destroyed or damaged in the recent severe storms that hit the area.
Ohio law permits property owners to claim the reduction at any time, regardless of the cause of damage, Tablack said. The amount of reduction would be prorated based on the calendar quarter in which the damage occurred.
Property owners must file an application with the county auditor for a reduction no later than Dec. 31 in the year that the damage occurred. Refunds or credits may be available.
"With the tremendous storm damage recently, the residents of Mahoning County deserve the relief that this law provides," Tablack said. "This law provides quick and effective property tax relief to those homeowners during this time of need."
The auditor's office has a representative to answer questions at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief center in the county's South Side Annex on Market Street. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Help for public agencies
In addition to help for private citizens, there is also help available for public agencies.
A briefing will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Boardman Township administrative offices for public agencies in Mahoning County who sustained property damage due to recent storms.
State and federal officials will discuss procedures and policies for recovering damage costs. Mahoning County sustained about $1.8 million in public property damage.
Thursday's briefing is for political subdivisions, medical facilities, private universities or colleges, libraries, senior citizen centers, essential government service facilities and private, nonprofit organizations who sustained storm damage.