STAR Presentation

The franklin county TReasurer's Office

star program

Mission

The Franklin County Treasurer’s primary responsibility is the collection of real estate taxes. In addition, we are tasked with the management of the county’s financial assets, providing safety, liquidity and earning a market rate of return. We will manage the assets honestly, efficiently and responsibly to ensure the Treasurer’s Office is governed in a professional manner that will be transparent to the property owners of Franklin County. The Treasurer’s Office will optimize the use of Franklin County’s assets through the employment of technology, efficient best practices and sensible management. Our agency mission is to complete our tasks and responsibilities in a way that enhances the lives of all Franklin County property owners.

Vision

To assist and decrease the amount of property owners at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure due to real estate property tax delinquency.

what is the STAR PRogram

The Franklin County Treasurer created a Housing Taskforce following collaboration with the Kirwan Institute, United Way of Central Ohio, banking partners, various local leaders, and other community members. As a result of these previous discussions and recommendations from the Taskforce, the Franklin County Treasurer established the role of Director of Retention Services. STAR Program which will sustain, teach, advocate for and retain homeowners at risk of losing their homes to real estate property tax foreclosure. Under the leadership of the Director of Retention Services, the STAR Program will introduce homeowners to resources to achieve stability. The STAR Program will advocate on behalf of the homeowner to ensure they become a priority among all partnering organizations.

what retention services we provide

Ensure Homeowners Stay on Track with the Program

Set Up a Budget Payment Agreement

Facilitate a Direct Hand Off to Partnering Resources

STAR Application

Budget Payment Agreement

The Budget Payment Agreement is an optional free service offered by the Treasurer’s Office to assist in budgeting for the real estate property tax collection. The Franklin County Treasurer's Office accepts payments towards the estimated future real estate taxes and retains the payments in an escrow account created for the resident until the next Current Tax Collection. All current taxes must be paid before participating.

Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemption is a statewide program which allows qualified senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled homeowners to reduce their property tax burden by shielding some of the appraised (market) value of their home from taxation. The exemption takes the form of a credit on property tax bills.

Active Service Extension

The "Active Service Extension Act" entitles all active duty military personnel to take more time to pay their real estate taxes without penalty or interest. According to this law, either the person on active duty or a spouse or dependent parent may apply to the County Treasurer for an extension of time to pay their taxes for up to five years. The benefit is applicable while the person is on active duty and for six months thereafter. The benefit even extends to real estate taxes included as part of the mortgage payment.

Starfish Retention Fund

The Starfish Retention Fund is funded by contributions and donations. The fund was created to provide financial resources for the STAR Program, and aid homeowners facing financial hardships. Currently, the fund has assisted 35 homeowners by paying their delinquent real estate property taxes, court costs and awarded STAR participants a grant for their upcoming first half real estate property taxes

partnering resources

LEGAL AID

EDUCATION

FINANCIAL

HEALTH

EMPLOYMENT

TRANSPORTATION

at risk of foreclosure

Homeowners who are delinquent on their real estate property taxes for 18 months.

3,708 parcels total

3,696 Residential

12 commericial

698 homestead

As of 12/9/21

active foreclosure

Homeowners who are past the 18 month delinquency and facing an active foreclosure resulting in the loss of their home.

394 parcels total

2 commericial

392 residential

As of 12/9/21

164 homestead

delinquency Timeline

delinquent

foreclosure

Homeowner is delinquent and a10% penalty is applied after 10 days after the due date

Lien holder has the right to foreclose if the taxes are not paid after one year.

current

tax lien

First half real estate property taxes are due January 20, 2022. after the due date a 5% penalty is applied.

The homeowner is notified of the tax lien process after 18 months. Additional adminstrative fees are applied.

pilot cases

$121,144.01

Delinquent Real Estate Property Taxes

$133,221.08

total Starfish retention fund grants

$2,903.00

Court Costs

$9,174.07

First Half Real Estate Property Taxes

why we are providing retention services

Foreclosure Map

Franklin County Board of Commissioners Rise Together Poverty Blueprint Plan Heat Map

contact information

MiKayla BivensDirector of Retention ServicesEmail: mikayla.bivens@franklincountyohio.gov Phone: (614) 525-7592

@TreasurerCBS

treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov