Scioto County Commissioners say they’re working on a plan that could put real money back into the pockets of Green Township residents—but getting there isn’t as straightforward as it might seem.
At Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Merit Smith announced a developing partnership with Green Local Schools aimed at using future revenue from the proposed Google data center to reduce—or possibly eliminate—a long-term school tax levy.
The Goal: Lower Taxes for Local Residents
The plan centers around the project’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT)—a yearly payment expected to start at $500,000 and grow as the development expands.
Commissioners say their intent is simple:
Put that money back into Green Township.
“We said from the beginning, our goal is to make sure this goes back to the taxpayers,” Smith said.
One idea on the table is using that money to help pay off the school district’s bond debt—the same debt funded by a 7.5-mill levy currently paid by property owners.
That levy costs about $262.50 per year for every $100,000 of property value.
If the plan works, that number could drop significantly—or even disappear.
So What’s the Catch?
Here’s where things get complicated.
School funding doesn’t work like a simple checkbook.
Smith explained that when local schools receive more money from property taxes, the state often reduces what it sends in funding.
So even if the data center brings in new tax revenue…
…it doesn’t always mean the school ends up with more money.
“It looks good to say the school is getting more tax money,” Smith said. “But the state comes back and says, ‘You’re getting more locally, so we’re giving you less.’”
Why PILOT Money Matters More
That’s why commissioners are focusing on the PILOT payments instead of traditional tax revenue.
Unlike property taxes, PILOT money does NOT reduce state funding.
That makes it a much more powerful tool.
Commissioner Scottie Powell emphasized that point.
“A lot of people thought the PILOT was a one-time payment,” Powell said. “It’s not. It’s yearly—and it grows.”
He added that depending on how large the project becomes, those payments could climb to over $1 million per year.
Balancing Two Priorities
Even with that advantage, there’s still a balancing act.
If all of the PILOT money goes toward paying off school debt, officials say it could create short-term operational challenges for the district.
That’s why discussions are still ongoing between commissioners and school officials.
“We’re trying to figure out the best way to do this,” Smith said. “We want to reduce that levy, but we also have to make sure the school is stable.”
Timing Is Another Factor
There’s also the issue of timing.
The PILOT payments won’t begin until the data center is built and operational—meaning:
👉 No money comes in until construction is complete
👉 Tax relief wouldn’t happen immediately
Meanwhile, Smith noted that due to a state calculation issue, residents are already seeing temporary relief on the levy—but that won’t last forever.
What Happens Next
For now, nothing is finalized.
Commissioners say they plan to:
- Continue working with Green Local Schools
- Listen to feedback from the community
- Build a plan that benefits both taxpayers and the school district
Commissioner Will Mault summed it up simply:
“I think it’s a win-win if we do this right.”
The Bottom Line
There’s real potential here.
A major development could lead to lower taxes for Green Township residents—something people have been asking for.
But because of how school funding works in Ohio, it’s not as easy as just writing a check.
Officials say they’re committed to getting it right—even if it takes a little longer to figure out the details.
