Ohio’s House Bill 331, which is awaiting Governor Mike DeWine’s signature, will require hundreds of Ohio villages to justify their existence.
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, introduces an automatic review process for villages, assessing whether they provide essential services like police, fire, water, and sewer. If a village is found lacking, it could be dissolved and absorbed into the surrounding township.
The legislation aims to reduce the complexity of Ohio’s many taxing jurisdictions, addressing concerns from businesses about excessive taxes and administrative burdens.
Under the new bill, villages will be audited every 10 years or after each census, and residents will vote on whether to dissolve their village if it’s found inefficient.
Supporters of the bill, like Representative Adam Mathews, argue that it allows voters to hold local leaders accountable while simplifying tax structures.
Mathews views this as a first step in addressing Ohio’s numerous villages and townships, balancing the historical significance of these entities with the need for more streamlined governance.
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