State tax board supports local funding formula

LISBON -- The Ohio Tax Appeals Board has upheld a Columbiana County panel's formula for the annual allocation of state tax dollars known as local government funds.
The distribution formula adopted in August by the county budget commission reduced East Liverpool's share of the $4.8 million in 2003 funding from 27 percent to a little more than 4 percent.
The nearly 96 percent that remains goes to the county government and to city, village and township governments.
East Liverpool appealed.
The county prosecutor, treasurer and auditor make up the budget commission.
East Liverpool also filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court, which the high court dismissed.
In arriving at a new formula, the budget commission heeded arguments made by many of the county's cities, villages and townships, who have argued that for years East Liverpool's share of local government funds was too large, resulting in less for them.
Even at 4 percent, East Liverpool still has the second-largest share of this year's nearly $4.8 million fund distribution.
Salem, at 5.6 percent, gets the highest percentage based on population and property values.
East Liverpool has more people, but Salem's property values are higher.