$2 million returned to Butler County schools, governments

$2 million in unused tax collection fees is being returned to Butler County taxing districts. GREG LYNCH/STAFF

$2 million in unused tax collection fees is being returned to Butler County taxing districts. GREG LYNCH/STAFF

$2 million in unused tax collection fees is being returned to Butler County taxing districts.

The fees are monies the auditor’s office receives from the state for calculating and distributing real estate taxes to local governments. The auditor’s office doesn’t need all the fees to operate, according to its elected leader.

“Taxpayers should demand efficiency from their government leaders,” Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds said in a statement. “We prove every day that the size of government can be reduced and still operate at a high level.”

To accomplish state-mandated work, the real estate department in the auditor’s office spends about $2 million annually, according to Reynolds. Spending previously totaled about $4 million annually, he said.

“We’ve made some tough personnel decisions over the years in order to cut costs and streamline our operations,” Reynolds said. “That has paid real dividends to taxpayers and local governments.”

Lakota Local Schools, as the largest taxing body in Butler County, will receive the most returned at $459,498.

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Some of the higher give-back amounts:

  • Lakota Local Schools: $459,498
  • Butler County: $314,277
  • Fairfield City Schools: $218,909
  • Middletown City Schools: $124,669
  • Hamilton City Schools: $115,828

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