Jul
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July 4th Celebration Booth - Downtown Sandusky
Community event. Stop by the July 4th Celebration booth in Downtown Sandusky. Open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
10:00 AMDowntown Sandusky
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"Doing the right thing - even when no one is looking."
Honest stewardship. A modern, efficient office. Accountable to every Erie County taxpayer.
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Richard H. "Rick" Jeffrey has served as Erie County Auditor since 2011. A lifelong member of the Firelands community, Rick and his wife Gayle live in the Eagle Crest area on the Perkins Township side of the county. His children attended Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo.
Rick's roots in local education run deep: his father was one of the men instrumental in founding what became the BGSU Firelands campus in the 1960s. Rick earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Bowling Green State University in 1970, then spent 35 years in the private sector in corporate management - including roles as a Division and Plant Controller and as a Business Manager - before bringing that financial discipline to county government.
He has served 15 years as Erie County Auditor and has spent 11 years in leadership roles with the County Auditors' Association of Ohio (CAAO), where he currently serves as 2nd Vice President - helping guide fellow auditors across the state on sound fiscal practice.
He is an affiliate member of the Firelands Association of REALTORS and is active with the Greater Sandusky / Erie County Chamber of Commerce. In September 2023, he was named the City of Sandusky's Volunteer of the Year, and he continues to volunteer across the community well beyond his official duties.
First elected in 2010, Rick was sworn into his fourth consecutive term on March 13, 2023 by Judge Robert DeLamatre. A self-described continuous learner, he often repeats a lesson from his Bowling Green days: "The day you stop learning is the day you should retire."
"It is easy to do the right thing when someone is looking over your shoulder, but it takes a special person to do the right thing when no one is looking."
The Erie County Auditor is the county's chief fiscal officer. Here is what the office handles for residents, in plain language.
Determines a fair, accurate market value for every parcel in the county so the tax burden is shared correctly.
Keeps the county's official financial records and reports as its chief fiscal officer.
Distributes property tax dollars to the schools, townships, cities, and local services residents rely on.
Administers tax relief programs, including the Homestead Exemption for eligible seniors and disabled residents.
Inspects gas pumps, scales, and store scanners so residents pay for exactly what they receive.
Issues the dog licenses and vendor's licenses required across Erie County.
Under Rick's leadership, the Erie County Auditor's office has earned state recognition for clean finances, returned money to the community, and modernized how the county serves taxpayers.
The office earned the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction for 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 - a "clean" audit recognition earned by only about 3% of the public jurisdictions the Auditor of State reviews each year.
Through reorganization, the office has returned more than $2,000,000 to local subdivisions - cities, townships, and school districts - from the funds it is allotted by statute to run the real estate side of the office. As Rick puts it, "If you don't need it, don't just spend it because it's there."
Through software and process improvements, the office reduced staff from 21 to 14 budgeted positions - roughly a one-third reduction - with no layoffs and no cut to service levels. As people moved on, roles were combined rather than refilled.
The office completed the 2024 sexennial reappraisal of all 46,469 county parcels on time, using contracted appraisers and modern aerial imagery to keep valuations accurate and fair.
With the 2024 reappraisal raising residential values countywide, taxes are the defining issue of this cycle. Rick's message is straightforward: the auditor sets property values, not tax rates. Rates come from levies approved by voters and the budgets of other taxing bodies. The auditor's duty is to value property accurately and fairly.
Rick's core focus is doing more with less. By embracing technology - including AI-assisted construction detection and updated aerial imagery - the office reduced staffing by roughly a third without layoffs or service cuts, saving taxpayers money along the way.
From the Open Checkbook spending portal to online property search, GIS maps, a tax estimator, and unclaimed funds search, the office puts public information in residents' hands. Rick believes taxpayers deserve clear, easy access to how their money is valued, collected, and spent.
Most residents never learn what the auditor actually does. Rick wants to change that. The office is the county's chief fiscal officer - handling property valuation, tax distribution, weights and measures, dog and vendor licensing, and more - and an informed public makes for better government.
The county auditor determines property values and calculates taxes based on approved rates and levies. The auditor does not create levies or independently set tax rates.
The auditor's office appraises each property at fair market value, as required by Ohio law.
Tax rates come from levies approved by voters and the budgets of local taxing authorities - not the auditor.
The county treasurer bills and collects the property taxes that are owed.
Answers about the auditor's office, property taxes, and the November 2026 election in Erie County.
Community event. Stop by the July 4th Celebration booth in Downtown Sandusky. Open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
An open community conversation on county services, the budget, and property tax relief.
+ Add to Google CalendarCommunity event. The Erie County Republican Party participates in the Huron River Fest Parade. Parade lineup begins at 10:00 AM.
Community event. The Erie County Republican Party participates in the Kelleys Island Fest Parade. Parade lineup begins at 9:30 AM. Please schedule ferry transportation accordingly.
+ Add to Google CalendarCommunity event. The Erie County Republican Party participates in the Castalia Cold Creek Celebration Parade. Parade lineup begins at 1:00 PM.
+ Add to Google CalendarCommunity event. The Erie County Republican Party participates in the Berlin Heights Basket Festival Parade. Parade lineup begins at 12:30 PM.
+ Add to Google CalendarFamily-friendly picnic with the campaign. Lawn signs available.
Community event. Visit the Republican booth at the Erie County Fair. The fair runs August 10 through 15, 2026.
+ Add to Google CalendarCommunity event. The Erie County Republican Party participates in the Milan Melon Festival Parade. Parade lineup begins at 12:00 PM.
Rick's campaign relies on residents who care about Erie County. Whether you have a question, want a yard sign, or want to volunteer, we'd love to hear from you.
Erie County service area
"Doing the right thing - even when no one is looking."
If you are in Erie County, I want to hear from you.