CLEVELAND, Ohio — Over 41,000 Cuyahoga County homeowners are behind on their property tax payments just days before the second half is due on July 17, putting nearly $76 million in local revenue at risk and adding pressure to already strained county services. This represents about 7% of the county’s 564,000 property owners, a percentage consistent with last year, but the total amount delinquent has sharply increased from $56 million, according to the county treasurer.
“I’ve never seen delinquency to this level,” said County Budget Director Walter Parfejewiec, who previously warned of a $19.2 million projected deficit in the county’s Health and Human Services Levy reserves due in part to rising unpaid taxes.
The surge in tax delinquencies follows a recent countywide property reappraisal that raised home values by an average of 32%, significantly increasing bills for many. While County Treasurer Brad Cromes acknowledged the impact of higher valuations, he noted the percentage of non-payments has not changed from the previous year. “It’s too soon to say at this point,” Cromes said, but added, “If nothing else changes, we are prepared for there to be an increase.”…