Nine school districts in Ohio's Cuyahoga County have over-collected an estimated $28.5 million in property taxes due to a clerical error in tax rates, officials announced. The mistake, identified by Parma City Schools treasurer Sean Nuccio, occurred when property reappraisals in 2024 were not properly adjusted for several school districts before property taxes were billed in 2025.

Instead of issuing direct refunds, Cuyahoga County officials are working with the affected school districts on a plan to recover the excess funds by reducing tax collections over the next few years. This approach means Ohio residents will pay less toward emergency levies until the discrepancy is balanced.

The over-collected amounts vary by district, with Parma City Schools experiencing the largest discrepancy at $12,710,639. Other impacted districts include Brooklyn ($947,427), Euclid ($1,814,820), Fairview Park ($611,346), Garfield Heights ($4,094,838), Independence ($510,766), Maple Heights ($2,960,256), North Royalton ($4,084,876), and Warrensville Heights ($804,641).

County spokesperson Kelly Woodward stated that the error was deemed "not material" by the county's independent auditor and the Auditor of State. She confirmed that affected school districts are voluntarily cooperating with the Fiscal Office to adjust their fixed-sum levy rates for a two-year period to offset the overcollection.

However, this multi-year repayment plan has drawn criticism from some Ohio residents who expressed concerns online. Commenters argued that a gradual repayment might not adequately address situations where a property owner has sold their home, potentially leading to the new owner receiving the refund. Others questioned why immediate repayment with penalties, similar to late tax payments, was not being considered.

Nuccio is reportedly negotiating for a three-year adjustment plan for Parma City Schools, a timeline that differs from the two-year plans being adopted by other districts. He indicated that while the district has reserved funds, these are already allocated and will not fully resolve the budget challenges exacerbated by the overcollection.

County officials had initially scheduled a Board of Revision meeting in August to discuss the error, but it was subsequently canceled. It remains unclear if the meeting has been rescheduled. Ohio residents seeking further information or wishing to voice concerns are encouraged to contact the County's fiscal office directly.