Geauga County Budget Commission Denies Berkshire’s Inside Millage Shift

Budget Commission Special Meeting - April 22, 2025

What You Need to Know: At a special meeting called to consider a shift of 2.5 mills of Berkshire School District's general fund inside millage to the permanent improvement (PI) fund, the Budget Commission voted 3-0 to deny the shift. The proposed inside millage transfer would drop the district below the 20 mill floor required by Ohio law because PI money isn’t included in the 20 mill floor calculation formula. As a result, property taxes would be increased to bring the district’s funding level back to the required level. After comments from the Berkshire Treasurer laying out the district’s justification for the shift due to district voters turning down a PI renewal levy twice and increasing expenses, residents attending the meeting made public comments largely against the shift. After a contentious discussion, commission members decided that the district had not established its need for the shift, saying the district’s request was “unconscionable” and “embarrassing” and that “something doesn't smell right.” The motion to deny Berkshire’s request to authorize an unvoted permanent improvement levy passed unanimously.

READ THE APRIL 22 BUDGET COMMISSION REPORT HERE