HBAC 161: Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano

HBAC 161: Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano

The wider ‘Ax the Tax’ movement came up short for the November ballot this year but nonetheless provided a challenging spur to the status quo. On this installment, the usual Beacon Boys and local ace Paul Lambert [https://www.facebook.com/EducateHilliard/] host the Franklin County Auditor as projected home values hit doorsteps around Columbus and start the cycle of argument and education all over again. We’re ‘lovers and understanders’ here at the pod so we chose education this time out and Auditor Stinziano proved a capable teacher! Resources Primary Website of the Auditor https://auditor.franklincountyohio.gov/Home [https://auditor.franklincountyohio.gov/Home] ‘Know Your Home Value’ website and tools https://audr-kyhv.franklincountyohio.gov/ [https://audr-kyhv.franklincountyohio.gov/] Topics Discussed * Role of the Franklin County Auditor and responsibilities beyond property taxes * Consumer protection through Weights & Measures inspections * Government transparency and public trust * Political and professional background * How the Auditor’s Office is funded * Understanding Ohio’s HB 920 and why higher property values do not automatically mean higher taxes * Public misconceptions about property tax increases * The impact of neighborhood appreciation on individual homeowners * The 2026 Franklin County property reappraisal process * How homeowners can review or discuss their tentative valuation * Housing affordability, density, and future residential development * Ohio’s “Axe the Tax” movement and property tax reform * Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) and economic development incentives * JobsOhio transparency and accountability * Data center incentives and their long-term community impact * Hilliard Development Corporation and local economic development transparency * Understanding county government and why residents should pay attention to county offices We really appreciate the Auditor’s office making this conversation possible. Much of our discussion, thanks to Paul’s understanding and background knowledge [https://www.facebook.com/EducateHilliard/], centered on Ohio’s HB 920, the law that prevents most voter-approved levies from generating windfall revenue simply because property values rise. The Auditor emphasized that an increase in a home’s valuation does not automatically produce a proportional increase in property taxes. Instead, new levies approved by voters remain the primary driver of long-term tax increases, though changes in neighborhood valuations and recent sales trends can shift tax burdens among individual property owners. Beyond the always thorny property taxes, we discussed broader issues affecting Central Ohio, including housing affordability, increasing residential density planning, tax incentives, JobsOhio transparency [https://ohiohouse.gov/members/tristan-rader/news/reps-rader-pizzulli-introduce-jobsohio-transparency-act-in-aftermath-of-resignation-of-ohio-state-university-president-142675], and the rapid expansion of data centers. Stinziano said transparency remains essential in public economic development programs and expressed support for making more information readily available to taxpayers. As usual, we narrow the focus with a look at local accountability, including questions about the Hilliard Development Corporation, and a broad reminder that county government still plays a large role in the day to day lives of every Ohioan. The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC 160: Tristan Rader - State Representative District 13

Ohio’s rapid expansion of data centers is building stress around electric reliability, rising utility costs and who ultimately bears the burden of responsibility for billions of dollars in new infrastructure. Those issues were the focus of our conversation with State Rep. Tristan Rader [https://tristanrader.com/] who serves as (among other assignments) the ranking minority member on the Ohio House Energy Committee. Rader has long argued that lawmakers should ensure the costs of serving this new, investor driven electricity demand fall on the companies creating it and not existing residential ratepayers. He warned that Ohio’s unprecedented pipeline of data center projects could strain a largely reliable but aging electric grid. The discussion turned to Hilliard’s own proposed data center developments, including behind-the-meter “fuel cell” natural gas generation. Rader said requiring large facilities to provide some of their own power addresses only part of the demand while simultaneously introducing new environmental and neighborhood concerns. He said Ohio should instead encourage cleaner on-site generation such as solar and other renewable technologies where feasible. Rader also defended maintaining strong electric reliability standards through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, citing repeated outages in the Cleveland area that prompted local officials to push for regulatory intervention. He praised regulators for rejecting proposals that would have allowed utilities more time before outages triggered performance concerns. [https://ohiohouse.gov/members/tristan-rader/news/rep-rader-members-of-house-energy-committee-urge-puco-to-reject-firstenergy-request-to-weaken-power-reliability-standards-141505] Renewable energy policy was another major topic. Rader criticized recent Ohio laws that have made large-scale solar and wind development more difficult, arguing the state has created uncertainty that discourages investment at the very time additional generating capacity is needed. [https://signalohio.org/ohio-officials-vote-to-kill-solar-farm-in-morrow-county/] On a brighter note, Jordan pointed to Hilliard’s electric aggregation program which city officials report has saved the community millions of dollars as an example of how competitive energy markets can benefit consumers. The interview also revisited the legacy of the House Bill 6 scandal and the continuing need for utility oversight reforms. Rader said Ohio has improved some regulatory appointments but has not fundamentally changed the structures that allowed the scandal to occur, advocating for greater transparency, limits on utility influence and reforms to the Public Utilities Commission. A second major focus centered on government transparency. Rader discussed legislation he has introduced to increase oversight of JobsOhio [https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/ohio-lawmakers-push-new-oversight-tristan-rader-justin-pizzulli-jobsohio-liquor-profit-spending-columbus-statehouse], arguing that an organization receiving public resources should be subject to stronger public records requirements, audits and legislative review. He questioned whether economic development organizations should operate with fewer transparency requirements than traditional government agencies. That conversation naturally expanded to local government and given Tristan’s background on City Council his experience was extremely relevant.Jordan, using the Hilliard Development Corporation as an example, asked how appropriate it is that economic development entities distance public spending decisions from routine public oversight. Rader suggested a cost to this mode of operating is that even when such organizations comply with existing law, limited transparency erodes public confidence and reduces long-term trust in government. The discussion suggests that a government role in growth and development is obvious but needs much more direct participation from residents. Closing out the interview, Rader said bipartisan cooperation remains possible on issues such as energy affordability and data center policy because legislators from both parties share concerns about rising utility bills and local impacts [https://ohiohouse.gov/members/tristan-rader/news/reps-rader-thomas-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-shield-ohio-ratepayers-from-data-center-driven-grid-costs-142119]. As a Democratic Socialist he said his approach has been to directly represent the priorities of his district while seeking progressive legislation that can attract support from Ohioans across party lines. Thank you to the Representative for calling in and giving us some time while on the road. The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC #159 - Food for the Fourth and City Housing Policy

A HOT hello to you all! We interview a quadruplet of guests this week, starting off with returning brothers Sam and Charlie Owsley who join us to hype the second annual Food for the Fourth donation event benefiting Hilliard Food Pantry [https://www.hilliardfoodpantry.org/]. Every donation helps local families, and just $1 donated allows the Hilliard Food Pantry [https://www.facebook.com/hilliardfoodpantry?__cft__[0]=AZYc5fC5aiFXyJzPnJapeJZFBVmW1xUAOIBOO38-KI1qIq3bZs7UQOQM4T-TNPTNVJ2YCl7QgXCUvLJoLF0JXthdhEq5wusQ3d139AScoICLjlwwCKZYjdiMfArcE1zQbEcPdY5ucW37cpFjH3KGkSmA6DrCSnMXyYKSkxQeMpDHng&__tn__=-]K-R] to purchase about $6 worth of food from the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. How to Donate on Parade Day: Starting around 8:45 a.m., look for volunteers, trucks, and police escort moving along the parade route ahead of the parade. Donations will be collected from parade attendees all along the route before the parade begins at 9 a.m. Last year the brothers and volunteer teams collected 800 pounds of food and north of $800 in direct donations. We’re really proud of these young guys who have created a lasting commitment to help their neighbors and larger community. Let’s all pitch in this weekend and help each other out! And in the Second Half… We welcome Deputy Planning Director Jackie Yeoman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackieyeoman/] and Chair of the Housing Steering Commission, Vince Papsidero [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-papsidero-faicp-68b27b3/] to walk us through the findings of the year long process to redefine the City’s collective approach to Housing.We allude to the fact in the interview that housing policy can be political and personal with opinions coming in hot and heavy from every perspective but the work over the past year of the commission has been rooted in a broad, comprehensive approach that unlocks some immediate mechanisms and lays the groundwork for future evolutions within our city.To get a look at every stage of the process - including the final June presentation - follow the links below: We’ve always said on this program that knowing where the bulldozers will be BEFORE they start ripping up your neighborhood is preferable. Developing these systems alongside city administration and staying involved in the ongoing process is your entry point to deeper understanding of your property and your city. The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC #158: Cosmic Confab with Jason Hissong

Join us for a night of stargazing and Stellar Conversation, won’t you? If you like what you see and hear in this episode then take the plunge and explore the skies with the Columbus Astronomical Society [https://columbusastronomy.org/], spend a Friday evening at historic Perkins Observatory [https://www.owu.edu/about/offices-services-directory/perkins-observatory/] or travel to some of the darkest skies in the state at the John Glenn Astronomy Park. [https://jgap.info/] Images and accompanying text by Jason [https://www.facebook.com/jason.hissong]. Twilight approaches as the rig stands ready. The Cygnus Milky Way. If you look close, you can see the North America Nebula right of center. The Cygnus Milky Way region contains many interesting objects including the “Great Rift”, an area of dust and gas that will one day form new stars. The famous Cygnus X-1 Black hole is also in this region. Taken with the Seestar S30Pro’s Milky Way capture feature. The center star of the Northern Cross of Cygnus, Sadr and surrounding nebulosity. I used Sadr as the anchor to take my Cygnus Milky Way image. Markarian’s Chain in Virgo. I wanted to use the Seestar S30Pro to get this chain of galaxies. These galaxies are part of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. The Eagle Nebula, M16, in the constellation of Serpens. This object became famous in the 90s when the Hubble Space Telescope took the “Pillars of Creation” image. My version is a false color image using Hydrogen Alpha and Oxygen III filters. M16 is a large star forming region. Taken with the main imaging rig. The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. Rho Ophiuchi is embedded in this cloud complex and it is a large, and one of the nearest, star forming regions. You can see the red glow of Antares at the bottom left, and the globular star cluster M4 at the bottom right. Above and to the right of Antares is the globular cluster NGC6144. Taken with the Seestar S30Pro. M17, also known as the Swan Nebula, is a massive star forming region in the constellation of Sagittarius. There is an open cluster, NGC6618, is embedded inside the nebula and this is what causes it to glow like it does. Taken with the S30. TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS Intro and Welcome1:00-5:15 What is Master Data Management?5:15-15:00 Layoffs and Transitions15:00-24:25 Lifelong Fascination with Astronomy- Columbus Astronomical Society- Perkins Observatory and John Glenn Astronomy Park24:25-31:30 Astronomy Provides Perspective31:30-41:20 Ambient Radiation, Nuclear Power, and Learning as a Method for Managing Fears42:05-44:05 AI and Human Creativity- The curious case of German alchemist Henning Brandt [https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/hennig-brandt-and-the-discovery-of-phosphorus/] (aka, ‘You’re crazy for this one, Rick.’)44:05-47:45 Current Skywatching Opportunities and Closing Thanks again to one of our oldest and most interesting friends for sharing his awesome passion! The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

HBAC 157: Head, Heart, Hands and Health

We open the latest episode of the Audio Companion by welcoming Sam Swank, a longtime member of 4-H [https://ohio4h.org/], who discussed his experiences with the organization and his current project studying yeast breads. Sam, who joined 4-H at age six, described the program as a place where you learn about nature, practical skills and career interests while pursuing projects that match your passions. His own interests have ranged from birding and fishing to baking. Currently working on a yeast bread project for the county fair, Sam turned the tables on Jordan and asked thoughtful questions about donut making, including how yeast is activated, how commercial baking differs from home baking, and what kind of training is needed to become a professional baker. The conversation highlighted one of 4-H’s enduring strengths: its ability to introduce young people to skilled trades, science, agriculture and entrepreneurship through hands-on learning. Founded more than a century ago, with deep roots in Ohio, 4-H remains one of the nation’s largest youth development organizations, reaching millions of participants through local clubs and county fairs. The second half of the program shifted to a much more contentious and now familiar subject: the rapid expansion of data centers across Ohio. Joining the second half of our show was Amy Swank, Sam’s mother and a prominent grassroots advocate who has become one of the state’s most active voices examining the impacts of large-scale data center development. Swank said her interest began when a proposed facility was slated for construction near her home. Since then, she has traveled the state speaking with communities facing similar projects and helping residents understand zoning processes, public records requests and the economics behind fast-moving data center agreements. According to Swank, concerns raised by residents are remarkably consistent regardless of geography or politics. “It didn’t matter if I was in Pickaway County or Madison County or Franklin County,” she said. “They all kind of shared the same concerns. It always evolved around transparency.” Swank argued that many communities are being asked to accept projects with limited information about long-term environmental impacts, energy demands and tax arrangements. She expressed particular concern about backup diesel generators, electrical grid capacity and the use of unaffordable tax abatements to attract facilities. The discussion also explored the mixed response at the Ohio Statehouse, where lawmakers have formed a select committee to study data centers after separate legislation establishing a more formal commission stalled in the state senate. Swank said she hopes legislators will make more legitimate efforts to slow things down while taking a much closer look at the economics of the industry and carefully examining whether promised benefits match public investment. The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe [https://hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]