MiddletownJournal.com

FRANKLIN — If Franklin were to withdraw from Franklin Twp., the split could mean additional tax money for the city and school district.

Franklin residents pay "inside millage," which is 10 mills of property taxes that are state mandated and do not require voter approval. Those taxes are split between the county, city, township and school district.

One mill cost the owner of a $100,000 about $30.68.

The township currently receives 0.7 mills inside Franklin city limits.

The loss of that tax money would cost the township about $150,000 annually, a "pretty good chunk" for a political body that spends about $1.2 million a year, said Franklin Twp. Trustee Elmo Rose.

"We really have no say in it," said Rose, who said he had only heard speculation of Franklin considering splitting. "We'll just have to adjust depending on what happens."

Who can claim it

The school district or the city could claim the township's 0.7 mills.

But because Franklin schools must collect tax money at a uniform rate across the school district, claiming the extra money would mean taxes would increase for residents who live in the school district and in the unincorporated parts of Franklin Twp., said Warren County Auditor Nick Nelson.

The change would also reduce the amount of tax money going to the cities of Middletown and Springboro because the two cities are collecting tax money beyond the amount allotted to them, Nelson said.

City use

Among all the aspects to consider, Franklin must look at what services are being provided by the township, like funding for the pool in Community Park and other park services, Franklin Councilman Carl Bray said.

Bray said if the city would claim the tax money, it could be used to improve city services.

Bray said he and other city officials have been unhappy with training, equipment and response time of the Joint Emergency Medical Services, the ambulance service for the city, township and Carlisle.

The city has been exploring the possibility of combining the ambulance service with the fire department for several years.

However, Nelson said the city also stands to lose more than it would gain because for years it has been collecting 0.61 mills more than it has exclusive claim to.

What's next

The city will make a presentation to Franklin City Schools on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and the school district will discuss the possible impact.

Further discussions are not yet scheduled by the city, schools or Franklin Twp. trustees.

If the city was to break with the township, city council would need only to pass a resolution, according to Nelson.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.