Stark County kept taxing homeowners while sitting on $21.7 million, state audit found
A State Auditor's Office audit of Stark County for 2023, released Oct. 15, 2025, found the county ended 2023 with about $21.7 million in its general fund, against annual general fund spending and transfers of about $11.7 million, more than state law allows in reserves. The auditor said the general fund property tax levy should have been dropped to zero; instead the county levied more than $5.4 million, a 26% cut from 2022. The auditor directed the county to zero the levy and spend down reserves. Commissioners called the demand unrealistic and said they are lowering levies gradually. At a Nov. 4, 2025 meeting, residents pressed the commission; Chair Neal Messer said zeroing out was an option the county chose not to take, and no official action was taken. The audit also found missing budget documentation and a material weakness in internal controls.
The county instead levied more than 5.4 million that year, a reduction of about 26% from 2022.
To remedy the issue, Gallion’s office directed the county to drop its mill levy to zero for the following fiscal year and fund operations through its general fund reserves.
The audit found that property taxes (which are calculated through a mill levy) should be dropped to zero for the general fund for residents, given a surplus in Stark County’s general fund.
Said cutting levies gradually gives taxpayers more consistency than depleting and refilling the general fund.
Said zeroing the levy was an option but taxes would be higher today; the county will lower levies over time.
No outcome recorded yet.