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From The Dispatch:
Metro Parks board to push 0.75-mill levy
By Mark FerenchikPeople love their parks. But do they appreciate them enough to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for them, even if the annual cost adds up to just a few lunches?
Metro Parks is asking voters to approve a 10-year, 0.75-mill levy to maintain parks, while also expanding the system and adding programs. The three-member board voted yesterday to place the issue before Franklin County voters on the May 5 ballot.
The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $23 a year, compared with $13 spent with the current 0.65-mill levy, parks officials said. That levy expires at the end of this year.
Metro Parks going on May ballot with 0.75-mill levy
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 12:50 PM
By GAIL MARTINEAU
ThisWeek Staff Writer
The Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District (Metro Parks) looks to fulfill its commitment to New Albany, Plain Township and Columbus when it goes on the ballot May 5 to ask Franklin County residents for a 0.75-mill property-tax levy.
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Metro Parks keeps cash parked each year
Monday, March 16, 2009 8:56 PM
BY MARK FERENCHIK
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
At the end of last year, Franklin County Metro Parks had a cash balance of $13.7 million.
That equaled more than a third of its 2009 budget of $39.9 million, and the park system is asking county voters in May to almost double the property tax they pay to support the parks.
But most of that cash balance is mandated to buy land, parks officials note, and the higher tax would be $23 per $100,000 of home value, up from $13.
Still, one critic said it’s one more burden on top of property taxes for libraries and schools and such, and a possible income-tax increase in Columbus.
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Via email:
May 5 Franklin County ballot issue to support Metro Parks funding through 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Friends of Metro Parks today presented the benefits of Issue 1, a May Franklin County ballot issue to replace expiring funding for the Metro Parks system.
Metro Parks plans to use the funding Issue 1 would generate through 2010-2019 to support park system maintenance and expansion. Levy funding provides more than half of the Metro Parks budget.
“Metro Parks has been a friend and partner to the City of Columbus,” says Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “The 15 parks throughout Central Ohio provide critical public recreational resources to our children, senior citizens and the entire community.â€Â
Issue 1 is a 0.75-mill, 10-year operating levy that would take effect in 2010, following the expiration of Metro Parks’ current operating levy. While in effect, it would cost no more than $23 a year per each $100,000 of taxable property value.
“Metro Parks provide an unbeatable family-friendly value for Central Ohio,†says Paula Brooks, president of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. “It is the best deal among any Ohio public park system, costing only pennies a day.â€Â
“Metro Parks is an exceptional natural resource for the education of our students,†says Dr. Gene T. Harris, superintendent of Columbus City Schools. “More than 50,000 local school children participate every year in the free educational programming Metro Parks offers.â€Â
Jeff McNealey, campaign chair for Friends of Metro Parks, says Metro Parks has kept its promises, fulfilling all of the improvements outlined for implementation by its expiring levy. “Metro Parks will continue to keep its promise to the community,†McNealey said. “A vote for Issue 1 will make Metro Parks even better.â€Â
The operating levy will include funding for three new parks, substantial parks expansion, increased funding for youth and senior programming and enhance protection of the Big Darby Creek Watershed. It also will expand the Greenways Trails system and improve wildlife habitat, in addition to providing support for continuing parks operations.
“I am hopeful the voters of Franklin County will again cast their support behind Metro Parks,†says John O’Meara, Metro Parks executive director. “We count on the continued investment of the community to keep our parks vibrant for the future.â€Â
For more information about Issue 1, visit http://www.Vote4MetroParks.com. For more information about Metro Parks, visit http://www.MetroParks.net.
Press Release:
MORPC Supports Metro Parks Levy for May 2009 Election
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission approved a resolution in support of the Franklin County Metro Parks Levy scheduled for the ballot in May 2009. The Metro Parks current 10 year levy expires at the end of 2009. The passage of the levy, scheduled for the May ballot, would allow Metro Parks to continue to operate clean, well-maintained, safe parks that are free to the public. Metro Parks plays an important role in our region’s development and preserving open space. A robust park system improves the quality of life for the residents of the region, restore habitats and protect wetlands and water resources.
Metro Parks has a history of responsible use of public funds and following through on promises made of past levy funds. The proposed levy is a 0.75-mill property tax, which will cost a Franklin County homeowner about $23 per year per $100,000 appraised residential value. A passage of the levy means that Metro Parks will receive funding for its programs through 2019. Metro Parks will use these funds to operate the current 15 parks as well as add three new parks to the system.
“We greatly appreciate the support of MORPC and all the communities it represents for the Metro Parks Levy. This demonstrates an understanding among community leaders that Metro Parks is essential to the region and the quality of life that we all enjoy,†states John O’Meara, Executive Director of Metro Parks.
Dean Ringle, Franklin County Engineer and current MORPC Chair, states, “Our communities have enjoyed the successes of Metro Parks through the years, in both their parks and trail systems. We look forward to Metro Parks continuing to enhance our region and our quality of life.â€Â
Metro Parks visits up in down economy
Officials hope that sells voters on levy
Monday, May 4, 2009 3:08 AM
By Mark Ferenchik
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The bad economy could be helping boost attendance at Franklin County Metro Parks.
The number of visitors rose nearly 20 percent during the first three months of this year, from 815,500 to 975,800.
Attendance in March of this year was up 55 percent over March 2008 when, officials said, heavy snow kept people home.
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Looking at what the increase would get us at the only near-downtown Metropark – Scioto Audubon, I don’t think I’ll support this one. I know it’s not a lot of money, but on top of expected property tax increases (which I support), expected salary decreases (which I don’t ;) ) I’m not feeling generous.
The metroparks are great for suburban and exurban residents, but I’ve never driven to one from close to downtown. I do care about Columbus’ city park system, though.
Even though this will not result in money for city parks and recs — if this fails, good luck getting anything budgeted for city parks. I support this, and will vote for it. I hope it sends a message to the city that parks are important and people are willing to pay to support them (for the benefit of all). Besides, I want to see those parks in Ohio continue to thrive, even if I haven’t personally been to each of them. They serve us for many purposes.
My understanding is that voting against this levy would keep metroparks fudning steady – no services would be lost, but hoped-for expansions would not occur at. So I do hope that the parks continue to thrive, but I don’t think now is a good time for expansions.