The Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners passed a resolution May 19 to put a 20-year, 1.2-mill renewal and increase levy on the November ballot.
The Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners passed a resolution May 19 to put a 20-year, 1.2-mill renewal and increase levy on the November ballot.
If passed, the levy would yield about $3.8 million annually and cost homeowners $23 per year per $100,000 property valuation, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office.
The park district’s existing renewal levy, originally passed in 1985, is 0.7 mills. The proposed 1.2-mill levy would increase the millage by 0.5 mills, said Executive Director John Oros.
Park commissioners determined a renewal and increase would be necessary due to the existing 0.7 mills not being enough to fund capital improvement projects and operating expenses, Fiscal Officer Dawn Sweeney said.
“The amount of taxes which may be raised within the 10-mill limitation by levies on the current tax due … will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the necessary requirements of Geauga Park District, and it is necessary to levy and tax in excess of such limitation for the purposes of operating, improving and providing outdoor recreational services of Geauga Park District lands, preserving, conserving and protecting natural features on Geauga Park District lands and operating, improving … and preserving Geauga Park District lands,” Oros said, reading from the levy resolution.
If passed, the levy would begin collecting in 2027, Oros added.
Park commissioners decided not to do a replacement levy due to the possibility the Ohio Senate may be getting rid of replacement levies, Oros explained.
In other park business, Geauga Park District Chief Naturalist John Kolar presented possible project ideas for The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township.
“Our main goal for the nature center is to make it a really hands-on place where people can experience some of the wonders of nature, but also encourage them to get out and explore nature themselves,” Kolar said.
Some ideas, which Kolar gathered from visiting local nature centers, include an interactive park map, a native pollinator garden, bird feeder cameras and other interactive exhibits. These projects are expected to start in 2027.
Deputy Director Matt McCue also provided updates on summer capital improvement projects.
Construction on The West Woods bridge will begin in early June and throughout the summer, he said.
Park commissioners made the decision to replace The West Woods bridge south of Kinsman Road on state Route 87 in Russell Township in 2023.
In addition, the park district is working on constructing a second tree house maintenance structure at Big Creek Park in Chardon Township and the construction crew built an additional camping shelter, as well, Oros said.
During the meeting, Oros also announced Sally LaMarca was appointed to the GPD board of commissioners to replace Jolene Canabuci, who resigned last month.
LaMarca, a resident of Chester Township since 1964, joins existing commissioners Ray Guarino, Les LaGatta and Frank Stein.
