Are port authorities exempt from taxes?
Like other governmental entities, port authority net incomes and port authority property used for government functions are tax exempt. However, facilities leased for commercial purposes are fully taxable. The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority has paid over $1.5 million in local property taxes since 1997. Combined, the tenants of the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center make up the largest taxpayer in the City of Heath and ranks among the largest in all of Licking County with over $1.3 million in local and school taxes paid in 2008. RETURN TO TOP Q: Who oversees port authorities? A: Port authorities fall under a variety of checks and balances. For one, the political subdivisions that create the port authorities are responsible for appointing the board members of the port authority and have the power to change a port authority’s charter. Additionally, the Auditor of State is responsible for auditing port authorities and publishing audit findings every two years. Finally,
