BELLAIRE — Changes are coming to the way income taxes are handled in Bellaire.

The village is preparing to transition its municipal income tax administration from an in-house office over to the Regional Income Tax Agency, otherwise known as RITA. The move comes due to a change in village staffing.

“After 50-plus years of dedicated service to the Village of Bellaire, our Income Tax Administrator Janice Sable is looking forward to a well-earned retirement,” the village announced in a release. “The Village would like to sincerely thank Janice for five decades of work in serving the community of Bellaire, and we wish her and her family all the best in her retirement years.”

Effective July 1, the Regional Income Tax Agency will begin collecting municipal income tax for the village of Bellaire. Welcome letters will be mailed by RITA to residents and businesses on file beginning next week. Residents and businesses can learn more about municipal income tax and RITA and explore all of RITA’s online resources for taxpayers by visiting the Welcome New Taxpayers and Welcome New Businesses pages online at ritaohio.com.

Sable has agreed to work on a “part-time basis” during the transition period and through the first full income tax season in 2026 to assist anyone who may need help in this transition process.

Bellaire’s income tax rate is 1% — the highest amount permitted under Ohio law without voter approval. Other local municipalities that utilize RITA’s services include Barnesville, Martins Ferry, Bridgeport, Powhatan Point, St. Clairsville, Jewett, Hopedale and Woodsfield.