Ohio residents have been outraged as Cuyahoga County school districts accidentally took a staggering $28.5 million extra from their taxes.
Cuyahoga County officials have announced that a clerical error in tax rates has caused nine Cuyahoga County school districts to over collect an estimated $28.5 million from Ohio residents.
According to Cleveland Plain Dealer, Sean Nuccio, treasurer for Parma City Schools, was the first person to spot the mistake and immediately alerted the county.
Instead of refund checks, county officials are working towards a solution that will collect less money from emergency levies over the next few years until the discrepancy evens itself out.
The outlet reported an official county letter was then sent out to the affected school districts to inform them of the problem at hand.
The letter explained that in 2024, some Ohio properties were reappraised but the rates were not adjusted properly for several school districts before property taxes were billed in 2025.
'The Budget Commission appears to have correctly estimated tax rates for fixed-sum levies early in 2024. But once final property values were known, those estimated rates should have been updated before taxes were billed,' the letter said.
This error led the school districts to mistakenly collect millions of dollars in additional revenue.
Cuyahoga County officials have announced that a clerical error in tax rates has caused nine Cuyahoga County school districts to over collect an estimated $28.5 million from Ohio residents
According to Cleveland Plain Dealer, Sean Nuccio, (pictured) treasurer for Parma City Schools, was the first person to spot the mistake and immediately alerted the county
The excess funds included $947,427 from Brooklyn, $1,814,820 from Euclid, $611,346 from Fairview Park, $4,094,838 from Garfield Heights, $510,766 from Independence, $2,960,256 from Maple Heights, $4,084,876 from North Royalton and $804,641 from Warrensville Heights.
Parma school district was impacted by the largest discrepancy at a whopping $12,710,639 excess.
According to the letter, other counties that made the same tax rate mistake included Ashtabula, Carroll, Champaign, Fayette, Henry, Logan and Preble.
County spokesperson Kelly Woodward, told Cleveland Plain Dealer, that Clark Schaefer Hackett, the county's independent auditor and the Auditor of State have determined the extra money was 'not material for Cuyahoga County.'
Woodward confirmed the money is currently being recovered for taxpayers.
'The affected school districts are voluntarily working with the Fiscal Office to reduce their fixed-sum levy rates for a two-year period to offset the overcollection to address this matter,' Woodward told the outlet.
This suggested solution means that Ohio taxpayers will pay less toward the emergency levies to make up for the overcollection amount.
Nuccio has led the negotiation for a three-year adjustment plan, which differs from other schools adopting a two-year plan.
County spokesperson Kelly Woodward, (pictured) told Cleveland Plain Dealer, 'the affected school districts are voluntarily working with the Fiscal Office to reduce their fixed-sum levy rates'
The suggested three-year plan has sparked controversy online as Ohio residents raise concerns over the long-time frame it will take to get their money back
This plan has sparked controversy online as Ohio residents raise concerns over the three-year time frame it will take to get their money back.
'This "getting paid back over time" doesn't work. What if you were overcharged and you had sold your house last week? So; the new people get your refund? This is very unacceptable for multiple reasons!' one user wrote.
'Over 2 - 3 years?? Seriously?? No, it is returned immediately with a penalty discount and interest. If I was late on paying it, I would be charged a penalty PLUS interest,' another commenter wrote.
Another user wrote: 'That is NOT a solution. If I overpaid you and sold my home yesterday; the new owners will get my refund by the end of "reduction" in taxes! Not acceptable!'
Nuccio told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the district has reserved funds to hopefully offset the upcoming reductions to tax collections but that it will not completely help the situation.
'Those funds are already committed and are not available to address the district's ongoing budget challenges,' Nuccio told the outlet.
County officials originally notified the affected districts of a special Board of Revision meeting planned in August to address the 'clerical error.' The meeting was then later cancelled.
It is unclear at this time if a meeting has been rescheduled for a future date.
Woodward has encouraged any Ohio residents with questions or concerns about the upcoming changes to contact the County's fiscal office directly at 216-443-7010.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Clark Schaefer Hackett, Parma School District, Kelly Woodward and Sean Nuccio for comments.
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