PERRYSBURG – The possible repeal of Ohio’s estate tax could greatly impact Perrysburg Township.
According to the township’s board of trustees, it’s an issue it should prepare for should new legislation
introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives be passed.
At their regular meeting Monday, the trustees discussed the implications of not receiving what trustee
Bob Mack called "windfall revenue" from what is also referred to as the "death tax."

The township, which has seen its estate tax revenue fluctuate in recent years, has historically received
the largest amount of estate taxes out of all of the townships and municipalities in Wood County, Mack
said.
The trustees heard a letter from State Rep. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, that Gardner sent out to
municipal and township leaders to get a grasp of local government officials’ opinions of the repeal.
"(Gardner) basically thinks this is a good thing to repeal this, even though it could be a little
challenging," trustee Gary Britten said. "I tend to agree with him. That money has been taxed
once … It’s kind of unfair. A lot of people can’t afford to keep their family farms … I think (the
repeal) is a good deal."
The tax kicks in when someone dies with an estate of $338,000 or more. Any estate less than that is not
taxed, nor is any amount taxed if it is left to a surviving spouse.
Mack said that he had met with Gardner on Saturday and the two talked about the ongoing legislation
regarding the estate tax.
"It does sound like this is something that is going to be transitional," Mack said. "The
discussions that are under way in the House and Senate right now, it would appear they’re working on
measures where this would happen over maybe a year or two."
The township received $1,166,382 in estate taxes in 2008. That number dropped to $270,353 in 2009 and
then went back up to $345,810 in 2010.
"We need to make sure we can live within the means of our funding from our normal revenue as opposed
to windfall revenue," Mack said. "We can’t plan on people dying, nor can we plan how large
their estate may or may not be."
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the trustees:
¥ Passed a resolution to replace an existing four-way stop intersection at E Street and Third Street with
a two-way stop.
Stop signs will be removed from the east and west approaches on Third Street of the intersection.
¥ Fire Chief Tom Brice made the trustees aware that the fire department was awarded the Dr. Frank Foss
EMS Excellence Award for its service during the June tornado.
The award honors fire, EMS, and emergency personnel for providing extraordinary patient care under
unusual circumstances.
The department will be honored at a Feb. 11 banquet at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Toledo.
"I think this is more of a Perrysburg Township honor as a whole," said Brice, adding that the
township’s police department and maintenance department also helped with the recovery in Lake Township.
"It was a genuine community-wide effort."
¥ Approved the termination of police officer Jason Reel effective Jan. 25.
The trustees were unable to comment on the termination due to a grievance procedure.