Oxford City Council approves FY27 property tax rates

The Oxford City Council met on Oct. 20 to approve the city’s 2027 property tax rate and discuss a grant application that, if approved, would fund improvements to a local park and community center.

Oxford’s 2027 property tax rate, approved by the Butler County Auditor, was adopted by the city council.

Oxford’s general fund, approved for $1,821,000, is estimated by the county auditor to require a property tax rate of 3.65 mills inside the 10-mill limit imposed by the state constitution, meaning it does not require a public vote. A mill equates to $1 for each $1,000 of a person’s property tax value, as estimated by the county auditor.

Oxford’s estimated inside millage will equate to roughly 10.8% of the city’s general fund revenue, which supports general government operations, public safety and police, leisure time activities, transportation and public health. 

Oxford’s park fund, which will see collection until 2028, is estimated by the county auditor to collect $1,157,000 in Fiscal Year 2027 and collects at a levied tax rate of 3.25 mills outside the limit, which was first authorized by voters in May 2018.

Oxford’s fire levy, which was passed by voters in 2024, began collecting in 2025 and is estimated by the county auditor to collect $1,295,000 in FY27, collecting at a rate of 2.6 mills.

Heidi Ridenour, finance director for the City of Oxford, explained the tax rates in an email to the Oxford Free Press.

“In Ohio, the assessed value of real estate is 35% of the property’s current market value as determined by the County Auditor,” Ridenour wrote. “The County Auditor uses real estate sales in the county, specific property characteristics, and statistical analysis to arrive at the appraised (market) value for every property in the county.”

Parks grant funding

The city council also adopted a resolution to apply for and accept a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Butler County Community Development Department of $150,000.

Chad Smith, parks and recreation director for the City of Oxford, said the funding will be used for park shelter improvements at Leonard Howell Park and the TRI Community Center.

During the meeting, Smith said the City of Oxford has an agreement with the county to receive at least 10% of the total designated portion of the grant. The 10% varies based on the amount of county-wide funds granted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Smith added that the allocation amounts have varied yearly, between $110,000 and $130,000, but said his department can “adjust the project scope based on the actual award.” 

CDBG awards will be granted in spring 2027 and will likely be released in late fall, according to the city staff report. 

The Oxford City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Oxford Courthouse, 118 W. High St.