Harvey Solar works diligently to provide accurate, well-vetted information about solar, the Project, and its potential impacts on the Hartford Township community. Internet sources, whether research publications, periodicals, or social media must be carefully reviewed for accuracy. The information below is intended to respond to many of the concerns and statements shared online and on social media. Harvey Solar believes it is important to address these statements and provide factual clarity to the community.

Common Incorrect Statements Regarding Property Taxes

You may read online or hear in your community similar inaccurate statements regarding property taxes.

“Harvey Solar LLC, will be receiving a tax exemption (PILOT) which will cut taxes for our local schools, fire department, and police force”

FACTS AND CREDIBLE SOURCES

Harvey Solar will pay over $3 million in local government revenue every year for up to 40 years and will make payments that create dramatically more local government revenue, including for schools, fire, and law enforcement, from the land that will host the solar panels.[1]

Under a PILOT, in lieu of paying regular taxes that can change over time and are hard to plan for, Harvey Solar would agree to make very large, fixed annual payments for the life of the facility, contributing roughly $3,150,000 to local government taxing entities every year for up to 40 years – which is many times the current tax payments collected from the parcels that will host the solar panels.

A PILOT would not cause school funding from the State to decrease. State funding is awarded to local school districts according to a formula based on local tax rates and local property values, not based on the amount of revenue that a locality receives.[2] Therefore, per the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Budget and School Funding, “an increased investment through a PILOT project will have no impact on the amount of funding a school district generates from the State of Ohio through the state foundation formula.”[3]

[1] “Hartford Township solar field could provide $1 million annually to Northridge schools”, Newark Advocate, March 17, 2021, available at: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2021/03/17/solar-field-could-provide-1-million-annually-northridge-schools/4714959001/

[2] See Ohio Revised Code, Title 33 Education-Libraries, Chapter 3317 Foundation Program, available at: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3317.

[3] Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Budget and School Funding, June 12, 2020