The Future of Property Taxes : Understanding the Impact on Northwest Ohio's Public Services
Schedule
Wed Apr 29 2026 at 06:30 pm to 08:30 pm
Location
Penta Career Center | Perrysburg, OH
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The alliance of NWO public service advocates is facilitating an opportunity to learn how Northwest Ohio is going to feel the impact of Ohio’s future tax changes. Less revenue to fund the services our communities rely on: public schools, police and fire, roads, and local programs. When state funding shrinks, the burden doesn’t disappear, it shifts to us through higher local taxes and fewer resources. Communities like ours and across the region will be forced to do more with less while costs keep rising. This isn’t just about taxes. It’s about what kind of communities we want to live in—and what we’re willing to invest to sustain them.
Stay informed. Ask questions, JOIN US in an informative evening!
Panelists
Zach Schiller
Zach Schiller is the research director at Policy Matters Ohio, a non-profit policy research institute focusing on policies that matter to Ohioans. Prior to coming to Policy Matters in 2001, Zach worked for more than two decades researching and writing about the Ohio economy as a business reporter for The Plain Dealer and Business Week. His education includes a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. For Policy Matters, Zach has written about foreclosures, economic development, job growth, unemployment insurance, tax policy and other issues.
John Patterson
John Patterson is a former Democratic Ohio State Representative (99th District, 2013–2020) and retired educator known for co-authoring the bipartisan Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan, a comprehensive, bipartisan school funding formula designed to be predictable, transparent, and equitable, addressing the true costs of education. A former history teacher with a Ph.D. in education, he prioritized bipartisan cooperation on education and agriculture, later serving as the Ohio State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
Stephen Dyer
Stephen Dyer is national thought leader on education policy that ensures high-quality education opportunities are available for children of all backgrounds in all locations, specifically focusing on voucher impact to Ohio’s public schools. As a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, 43rd District, 2007-2011, former award-winning journalist for the Akron Beacon Journal, and attorney, he has advocated for meaningful education reform through innovative, inspirational, and collaborative leadership efforts.
Ted Finnarn
Ted Finnarn is an attorney, farmer, member of Ohio Farmers United and represents the Ohio Farmers Union on the Agriculture Advisory Committee to the Division of Tax Equalization, Ohio Department of Taxation, in regards to the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) Law and has been a member of the Advisory Committee for almost 50 years. The CAUV’s intended purpose is to allow farmland owners to pay their real estate taxes based on the income producing ability of the farmland and not on its speculative fair market value, allowing farmers to pay reasonable real estate taxes.
Lisa Sobecki
Lisa Sobecki is a lifetime public servant, currently serving as the president of the Lucas County Commissioners. She has dedicated her public life working toward positive outcomes for citizens by drawing on her experiences to amplify the voices who have been silenced. In previous public service roles, she served in the U.S. Navy, served on the Toledo Public School board, worked at Ohio Job and Family Services as an economic support specialist, and was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives 45th District, 2019-2023. She held numerous other leadership positions including those at the AFSCME Local 544-01, and National Association of Counties.
Melissa Petrea
Melissa Petrea serves as a Trustee for Middleton Township in Wood County. Graduating from Bowling Green University, Melissa brings two decades of private sector experience in marketing, analytics, and finance to her public service. A dedicated community advocate, she serves as a substitute teacher for Perrysburg Schools and holds treasurer roles in several local organizations. Whether analyzing a budget or cheering from the sidelines, Melissa is dedicated to building a stronger, more connected community.
Moderator, Kristina White - retired from Springfield Local Schools Community Liaison and advocate for public schools.
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Where is it happening?
Penta Career Center, Penta Satellite, Perrysburg, OH 43551, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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