Sun Mar 21 2010
The board of the Portage Park District voted July 17 to place a 0.5-mill property tax levy before voters on Nov. 4.
This would be the park district's first levy if passed. A 0.5-mill levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 property less than $1.50 a month, the board said.
The board said funds would be used to conserve forests, wetlands and other natural areas for water quality protection and wildlife habitat, as well as to operate and maintain parks and trails.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Portage County residents. For a few pennies a day, we can conserve important natural areas and operate safe clean parks close to home for free public to use. It's a great return on your investment," said Gary Cross, president of the park board.
The board recently was presented with a resolution by the Citizens for Portage Park District, who requested the board place the issue on the ballot.
"There is a great need for this small levy, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 house less than $1.50 per month -- less than a half gallon of gas," said the group's chairman, Dick Abbott of Franklin Township.
"The Portage Park District has opportunities to accept donation of suitable park land across the county, but without this levy, they do not have the resources to manage those properties."
Current operating revenues for the park district are about $175,000 a year, which is barely enough to cover maintenance on existing properties.
With some levy funding, the park district could leverage local dollars to bring millions of dollars of federal and state grants and property donations back to the county, the board said.
The district is a countywide agency separate from county government, similar to Metro Parks, Serving Summit County and the Geauga Park District.
It is governed by a five-member unpaid board appointed by the probate judge.
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