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Park district levy would lower taxes
(by Joan Demirjian - October 12, 2012)
Park district levy would lower taxes
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
A reduction in taxes will be the result if county voters approve a Geauga Park District levy on the Nov. 6 ballot.
“Two levies are expiring, and we’re doing something never done: reducing taxes,” park district Director Thomas Curtin said.
Mr. Curtin met Monday with Auburn Township Trustees to explain the 1-mill levy – Issue 28 on the ballot – that would result in a 16 percent reduction compared to the two levies.
A 1-mill levy passed in 1993 cost the owner of a $100,000 home $15.59 annually. A 1-mill levy from 1995 also is expiring that cost homeowners $19.95 annually per $100,000 of valuation for a combined $36.44 per year for the two levies.
The 1995 levy will expire, while the 1993 levy will be replaced by a 1-mill levy, if passed, at current tax rates. As a result, the $36.44 amount would reduce to $30.63.
Replacement levies generate more than previous levies with the same mill amount because they are based on current real estate values. The two levies have generated $3.6 million, while the new levy would result in $2.9 million for the district.
The total number of park district levies would go from four to three if the new one passes.
The park district board is looking at cutting costs, including reducing money budgeted for land acquisition, for a period of time.
“We intend to focus on maintaining the parks and continuing program offerings,” Mr. Curtin said. “We’ll finish work at the Maple Highland Trail and Observatory Park.”
The scope of work at the southern portion of the bike trail will be reduced. Plans were to install two side-by-side trails for Amish buggies and bicycles. Instead, one 12-foot-wide lane with a crushed limestone surface will significantly save costs, according to Mr. Curtin.
At the Burton Wetlands, the park board will not spend funds to remove an old house and garage, plus will put off building a picnic shelter and trails.
The reduction in the budget came about after the board, noting the tough economy, asked if there were ways to reduce taxes, he said, by looking at the budget, maintenance and capital improvements. The result was allowing the one levy to expire.
“We are looking at cutting back on certain areas,” Mr. Curtin said, “but we can still deliver an excellent product.”
Even with the funding reduction, the park district will maintain the same high standards for clean and safe parks, he stressed, and continue to provide opportunities for people to enjoy them.
The park district will have a budget carryover to 2013 of $5 million, which will cover projects and maintenance into 2019.
“By 2019, the carryover will be at $2.9 million. The district will need $1.4 million to $1.5 million for operating expenses, and that gets us through the first quarter of 2020,” Mr. Curtin said. “We have a complete schedule for repaving, and that’s what the carryover allows us to do.”
Plans call for the development of the 120-acre Ellerin park property in Bainbridge with a small parking lot and the Kaplan property on Old State Road (Route 608) near the Maple Highlands Trail, where a small parking lot and restroom will be installed.
People value and appreciate the parks, according to Mr. Curtin. “They are constantly sending us emails and thanking us for the clean parks, trails, fishing opportunities and educational offerings.”
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