Bowling Green Lowers Property Tax Rate for Homeowners

Bowling Green, August 24, 2025

News Summary

Bowling Green has reduced its property tax rate from 0.204% to 0.203%, saving homeowners about $1 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. City officials, including Mayor Todd Alcott and City Commissioner Carlos Bailey, emphasize this tax cut as a means of providing financial relief and supporting community growth, especially for residents on fixed incomes. Despite the tax reduction, the city aims to meet its property tax revenue goal of $15.5 million and is considering further tax proposals.

Bowling Green has announced a reduction in its property tax rate, moving from 0.204% to 0.203%, which will save homeowners approximately $1 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. This change reflects the city’s commitment to provide financial relief and support community growth.

The decision to lower the property tax rate is aimed at enhancing community welfare, as articulated by city officials. Mayor Todd Alcott emphasized that the city’s focus is growing the community appropriately, ensuring residents feel supported rather than burdened by financial obligations.

Despite the tax decrease, city officials have assured that Bowling Green will still meet its property tax revenue goal of $15.5 million. However, this reduction is expected to result in a loss of thousands of dollars in potential revenue for the city. City Commissioner Carlos Bailey has expressed strong support for the tax cut, underscoring its benefits for residents, particularly for those on fixed incomes, such as retirees.

One such retiree, Tim Pulliam, noted that any decrease in tax rates is beneficial as it allows for additional disposable income, which is crucial for those living on fixed financial resources.

It’s important to clarify that property assessments are conducted by the state government’s Property Value Administration, rather than the City of Bowling Green itself. Following a recent assessment in 2024, about 60% of Warren County properties saw an increase in values, which contributed to a significant city property growth rate of 6.3%.

Moreover, the City Commission is currently discussing a proposal that aims to revise the personal property rate, which has remained unchanged since 1980. The proposed rate will be presented before the Board of Commission soon for approval. This tax rate proposal was previously adjusted from 20.5 cents in 2024 to the newly proposed 20.3 cents for property taxes.

A waiting period of 45 days is established following the adoption of the ordinance to set the tax rate. During this time, a public notice regarding the ordinance will be published within seven days of its approval. There is also a provision for community members to file a petition against the tax rate, which requires signatures from 10% of the total votes cast in the previous presidential election. In Bowling Green, this translates to about 2,312 signatures needed.

City Manager Jeff Meisel elaborated on the complexities surrounding tax jurisdictions, pointing out that various agencies—including city, county, and school district—can set their respective tax rates, contributing to the overall tax landscape in Bowling Green.

A public hearing was held by the City’s Finance Department to discuss the proposed tax rate for 2025, allowing residents to gain insight into the process and implications of the tax rate adjustments. For residents seeking more information regarding the 2025 tax rate, the Finance Department is available for inquiries via email or phone.

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Additional Resources

• Spectrum News: Bowling Green Lowers Property Tax
• Google Search: Bowling Green property tax
• WNKY: Bowling Green City Commission Discusses Property Tax Rates
• Wikipedia: Property tax
• BG Daily News: City Tax Discussions
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Government

Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.