By 1808Delaware
Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa has announced the refund of $5 million in real estate fees collected during the six-year reappraisal of county properties. The funds, which were not required for the appraisal process, have been redistributed to the jurisdictions that receive property tax revenue. These include schools, municipalities, townships, and levy-supported agencies.
The refunds are distributed based on a prorated calculation of the levies collected for each political jurisdiction, providing an unexpected financial boost to local organizations and governments.
Majority of Funds Benefit School Districts
Delaware County’s school districts are the largest beneficiaries of the refund, receiving a combined $3.6 million, or 72.4% of the total amount returned. Among the schools receiving significant refunds:
- Olentangy Schools: $2,063,609
- Delaware City Schools: $419,909
- Westerville City Schools: $390,866
- Big Walnut Schools: $336,747
- Dublin City Schools: $223,971
- Buckeye Valley Schools: $170,583
The Delaware Area Career Center also received $159,717. These funds can be utilized to support educational initiatives, operations, and other district needs.
Townships and Municipalities Share in Refunds
The county’s 19 townships collectively received $458,613, representing 9.2% of the total refund. Notable township refunds include:
- Orange Township: $123,268
- Genoa Township: $111,508
- Liberty Township: $94,110
Municipalities received a combined total of $96,709, while levy-supported agencies such as SourcePoint and Preservation Parks were refunded $429,556.
Libraries, Fire Districts, and County Agencies Benefit
Public libraries in Delaware County also received refunds totaling $57,432, with distributions as follows:
- Delaware County District Library: $39,803
- Westerville Public Library: $11,074
- Community Library in Sunbury: $6,452
Fire districts were refunded $39,366, while the county government itself received $127,697. These refunds are expected to enhance services for residents, from fire protection to library programming.
Auditor Kaitsa’s Ongoing Efforts Save Taxpayer Dollars
Since taking office in 2009, Auditor George Kaitsa has refunded a total of $19.7 million in real estate fees to local jurisdictions. This practice has enabled municipalities, schools, and agencies to reinvest in the community, providing essential services without additional financial burden on taxpayers.
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
