Butler County Today

The House Local Government Committee in Columbus has advanced the Flip the Script Bill, introduced by State Representative Thomas Hall from Madison Township. The proposed legislation, known as House Bill 124, seeks to grant county auditors the authority to select sales data for assessing market trends and determining property values.

"This bill is another step in the right direction as we continue to address the property tax system in Ohio," said Hall. "This legislation empowers our county auditors and starts the process locally."

House Bill 124 will now proceed to the House floor for a vote.

In addition, Representative Hall presented sponsor testimony regarding another piece of legislation aimed at ensuring emergency medical services (EMS) for Ohio residents. This proposal encourages shared services among local governments to save taxpayer money.

House Bill 274 mandates EMS service provision for townships, villages, and cities, similar to existing requirements for police and fire protection. It also proposes grant incentives for entities that collaborate or establish formal shared services arrangements. These grants are intended to cover initial costs and reduce long-term expenses for local first responder areas.

"This legislation is a vital and creative approach to addressing serious concerns in the emergency service industry and improving response times for life-saving services," stated Hall.

House Bill 274 is still under review by the Local Government Committee.