Auditor: Youngstown library tax error a $630K mistake

YOUNGSTOWN — About 3,300 property owners weren’t supposed to be paying for the county library system’s 2014 renewal levy, the Mahoning County Auditor’s office reported Monday.

Auditor Ralph Meacham’s office uncovered the error after an inquiry from a taxpayer, according to a Monday release.

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County received those taxes from all of the county’s 58 taxing districts, starting in tax year 2015 — but the renewal levy didn’t appear on the ballot in nine of those districts, which had been redistricted following passage of a 2012 state bill that changed library tax levy law.

The county auditor's office should have sent a request to the Ohio Department of Taxation requesting the changes to library districts in 2014 -- prior to Meacham taking office -- but that document was never sent, according to the release.

About 3,300 county parcels were affected by the error, from which more than $630,000 in property taxes were collected erroneously — between an average $44 and $50 from each property owner each year, according to the release.

Ohio Department of Taxation is calling it a “fundamental error,” meaning the auditor’s office must correct tax records moving forward — but there are no provisions to correct past tax periods, refund taxpayers or provide tax credits, the release states.

“I deeply regret this error,” Meacham is quoted in the release. “The fact that the error was found and corrected gives me little comfort. Since taking office in March of 2015, I have restructured the office to increase efficiencies, accountability, transparency and accuracy. As in the past, and going forward, these qualities will be paramount in delivering services to taxpayers.”

Meacham said his office intends to mail the Monday release to affected taxpayers. Those wanting to learn more can reach the auditor’s office at 330-740-2010, ext. 7571.

This story was originally published December 16, 2019 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Auditor: Youngstown library tax error a $630K mistake."