Akron Raises Property Taxes 1.5 Mills for Roads, Public Safety

The Akron City Council passed the 2026 fiscal year budget on July 1, raising the residential property tax millage rate from 8.2 to 9.7 mills on assessed values. This change applies to approximately 85,000 single-family homes and rental units within city limits, with projected additional collections of $4.2 million annually.

Budget Context and Timing

The adjustment follows the expiration of a temporary 2024 levy that had capped rate growth at 1 percent per year. City finance documents state the increase addresses a $6.8 million shortfall in the general fund after state aid reductions took effect January 1, 2026. Local government records show the new rate applies uniformly across wards without exemptions for income brackets below $75,000.

Under the levy, households with median assessed home values of $142,000 will see an average annual increase of $214 in property tax bills starting with the December 2026 collection cycle. Fixed-income residents in the North Hill and Kenmore neighborhoods face the largest proportional share of the added cost because their properties received no valuation relief under the new assessment schedule.

Allocation of New Revenue

The budget document allocates $2.9 million of the added revenue to street resurfacing contracts covering 18 miles of arterial roads in 2027. Another $1.1 million goes to overtime funding for the Akron Police Department, while $200,000 supports expanded hours at three branch libraries. Commercial properties above $500,000 in assessed value receive a separate 0.4 mill reduction, shifting a portion of the burden away from larger businesses.

City projections indicate the changes will take effect with the first tax statements mailed in November 2026. Residents can request payment plans through the county auditor's office, but no further rate adjustments are scheduled before the 2028 budget cycle.