The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is proposing a 6.1% rate reduction for school districts, cities and other local government employers, the bureau said in a press release Thursday.

Sarah Morrison

BWC Administrator/Chief Executive Officer Sarah Morrison proposed the reduction during Thursday’s actuarial committee hearing. The rate decrease would take effect on Jan. 1 if approved by the bureau’s board of directors, which will hear the proposal during a meeting on Sept. 28. 

"A number of factors make the reduction possible, including declining claims and a favorable forecast for future average claim costs,” Morrison said in a statement.

The bureau said the rate cut would impact 3,700 public entities in Ohio, for a total savings of $11.8 million. If approved, the reduction would mark a cumulative rate decrease of 33.9% since 2011, representing $434 million in savings to local governments.

The BWC has also returned $135 million to public entities through its “Third Billion Back” rebate. Checks were sent to employers last month.