Customers and shoppers at Rossford businesses will see a slight increase in the sales tax, beginning April 1.

With the approval of voters last fall, TARTA is enacting a half-percent sales and use tax in Rossford and all of Lucas County.

For Rossford, the sales tax rate will jump from 6.75 to 7.25 percent, according to Gary Gudmundson, communications director for the Ohio Department of Taxation.

“This rate increase does not apply to all of Wood County,” but only Rossford, he noted.

In Lucas County, the sales tax rate will increase from 7.25 to 7.75, effective April 1, Mr. Gudmundson said.

By state law, the Ohio tax commissioner is required to notify businesses of new tax rates 60 days prior to the change.

“The department issues tax alert e-mail notices regarding rate changes sent out at least 60 days prior to the rate change,” Mr. Gudmundson explained.

Rate changes also are posted on the website tax.ohio.gov.

“Businesses holding a vendor’s license are obligated to charge and collect the full state and local sales tax and remit it to the department of taxation,” he said.

Last November, Rossford and Lucas County voters approved an issue for TARTA to add Lucas County as a member and replace the 2.5 mill property tax levies with a 0.5 percent, 10-year sales tax.

TARTA’s annual property tax revenue last year was $13.5 million, which had declined from $18 million per year since 2008.

Transit officials were concerned about an aging bus fleet and a projected deficit of $58.7 million by 2027.

The 0.5 percent sales tax rate is estimated to generate $32 million per year.

However, Rossford and Lucas County residents will not see a decrease in their property taxes until next year.

Wood County Auditor Matt Oestreich said the TARTA issues were levied this year as the final year of the property tax.

“This was the determination of Lucas County as the home county of the largest tax base,” he explained.

“This in my opinion is unfortunate as sales tax dollars will soon start filling TARTA’s coffers alongside the property tax.”

He noted that the transit agency just received $13.8 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds to use for operations.

TARTA also was awarded one of five Buses and Bus Facilities Grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation presented to Ohio transit agencies. It will receive $2,307,200 to make upgrades to the maintenance facility and replace older paratransit vehicles.

In Rossford, the property tax levies generate $304,742 annually.

Mr. Oestreich said the February tax payments from Rossford property owners to TARTA were already distributed, $142,638 plus $17,116 in reimbursements, and the remainder is due in July.