President Uriah Anderson welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Bishop Brian Hayes provided the prayer.

 

President Anderson shared the sad news that a Yankee Trace server, AJ, who served our lunches frequently, passed away suddenly last week. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Today’s quote provided by Don Overly: “We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." – American scholar Neal Maxwell

 

Thank you to today’s greeters, Brian Hayes & Dave Trout.

 

 

Wes Kohler with Better Blend Smoothies & Bowls shared information about his restaurant and a delicious dessert that is available at Better Blend. He is a Dayton native, from the Kohler family of Kohler Catering. We invited him to come back, with or without another dessert!

 

 

Today’s Announcements:

 

 

Brian Hayes was our Sergeant at Arms with assistance by President Anderson.

 

Happy Bucks were generously given for:

 

 

 

Karl shared that Montgomery County is required to complete a comprehensive property reappraisal every six years. The last comprehensive reappraisal was completed in 2020, and the current process began in 2024. The county contracted with Vision Government Services, a professional national appraisal company, to conduct the review. The process typically takes two to three years and covers approximately 60,000 real estate parcels.

The reappraisal includes new digital property images, reviews of property characteristics, and an analysis of real estate market activity, including sales from 2025.

 

 

The final property values have been completed and approved by the state. The county's final abstract was submitted October 1, and property value letters have been mailed. The new values are also available on the Montgomery County Auditor’s website. These changes will not be used for ballot issues in the May or November elections this year.

 

Across Montgomery County, total property values increased by approximately $7 billion, with residential values rising 19%. Centerville saw a 14% increase, while Washington Township experienced a 13.8% increase. Nearby counties are reporting similar trends.

 

To determine values, the auditor's office reviews valid real estate sales involving willing buyers and willing sellers, with neither party under duress or related to the other. Although the county typically records 19,000 to 20,000 property transfers annually, only 9,281 sales from last year met the criteria for consideration. The county also compares sale prices with existing property valuations.

 

In 2025, approximately 87% of the reviewed sales sold for more than their previous appraised values, while 13% sold for less. In Centerville, 491 sales were reviewed, and 94% sold for more than their appraised values. In Washington Township, 705 sales were reviewed, with 94% selling above their appraised values.

 

 

Beginning January 1, property owners may request a formal review of their property valuations through the Montgomery County Board of Revision, a three-member board that hears and decides property value complaints. Property owners can schedule a hearing and should be prepared to explain what they believe their property is worth and why.

 

For more information, visit www.mc-bor.org.

 

 

Karl also discussed the Homestead Exemption program, which provides property tax relief to eligible homeowners who are at least 65 years old or permanently and totally disabled. The exemption removes $29,000 of a property's market value from taxation, generally saving homeowners approximately $500 to $700 annually. The program is available statewide, and the exemption can transfer with a homeowner who moves within Ohio.

 

 

Ohio voters approved the Homestead Exemption constitutional amendment in 1970 to provide property tax relief for low- and middle-income senior homeowners. In 2007, income restrictions were removed, bringing approximately 29,000 additional homeowners into the program. The state later reinstated income limits. The qualifying income threshold, based on Ohio adjusted gross income, has since changed, and the benefit has been adjusted over time. Beginning in 2024, the exemption amount began adjusting for inflation.

 

 

Despite these adjustments, the program's relative benefit has declined. Karl noted that the benefit has fallen from approximately 27% to 18% since 2015, and the number of eligible residents in Montgomery County has also decreased significantly.

 

Karl discussed efforts to expand the exemption, including a proposal to double the exemption to $50,000 and increase the benefit available to homeowners.

 

 

House Bill 479 proposed a one-time $500 property tax credit for homeowners already enrolled in the Homestead Exemption program, funded from the state's budget surplus. Current participants do not need to take any action to receive the additional credit on next year's tax bill.

 

Homeowners who are not yet enrolled have until October 23 to apply to receive the additional savings on their first-half 2027 property tax bill. Applications can be completed online, by phone, or in person. The auditor's office is also holding enrollment events throughout the county to help residents complete the application.

 

Eligibility is based on age or qualifying disability and household income. The income calculation uses Ohio adjusted gross income, found on Line 3 of the Ohio income tax return, and does not include Social Security income. Only one member of the household needs to be at least 65 years old to meet the age requirement, and the exemption can transfer to a surviving spouse, subject to program requirements.

Once enrolled, homeowners do not need to reapply annually.

 

Karl encouraged eligible homeowners to take advantage of the program, noting that some residents mistakenly believe the benefit sounds too good to be true. He emphasized that it is a legitimate opportunity to reduce property taxes and urged residents to learn more and apply if they qualify.

 

To learn more or apply, visit https://www.mcohio.org/657/Homestead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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