New Butler County Auditor Nancy Nix predicts that Butler County property values will increase by 42% as a result of her office’s triennial update, now underway. 

Nix introduced herself to Oxford City Council May 16. Nix, county treasurer since 2007, was appointed auditor by the Butler County Republican Party in February after the previous auditor Roger Reynolds was convicted of unlawful interest in a public contract, a felony. 

“I was blessed to inherit a wonderful staff,” Nix said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.” 

In the previous triennial update, in 2020, there was a 20% increase, she said. “Now we are looking at 42%, so the outrage is even bigger.” 

This 42% increase is specifically in-home residential values, Nix said. Overall, Oxford appeared to have a lower number than the county median, but the values differ with each neighborhood, making it difficult to generalize. 

“While your tax bill won’t go up 42%, it could still go up a sizable amount,” she said. 

The update won’t be finalized until the end of the year, she said. 

In other news, Oxford City Council awarded a $200,000 contract to Jackson Construction Co., of Hamilton, to replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks in coordination with the summer street repaving projects. The expense will be billed back to homeowners, according to city documents. 

By request of the Butler County Commissioners, the city council updated the proposal for a new Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) facility that would be partially funded by $1.5 million from the Butler County American Rescue Plan Act. The commissioners requested more information in the form of a proposed budget.

“It is important for all citizens to know and understand the problems, duties and responsibilities of their law enforcement officers,” Mayor William Snavely said. 

The council also approved two proposals related to the Butler County OVI Task Force. Oxford’s police department serves as the lead agency for a $250,000 that is distributed to 13 different agencies to fund extra OVI patrols and checkpoints. 

May 15 was designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The week of May 14 to May 20 is police week in Oxford.