Growing Miami County parks seek added dollars

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“We have been at the same millage for 15 years and have done a great job of managing those funds to get to this point,” said Scott Myers, park district executive director.

“We use these funds to protect the environment, provide exceptional environmental education programs for children, offer outdoor programs throughout the year and promote health and wellness while maintaining the parks and their amenities,” he said.

The park district experienced a 2016 deficit of $273,000, eating into its balance.

The 1.5-mill operating levy would generate $3,417,486 a year or around $900,000 more than the current levy.

The current levy expires in 2019, but the board chose to go to voters early to give “a little buffer in case any issues arise” and to have guaranteed funding required for the district to be eligible for some grants, Myers said. The old levy would be canceled and replaced with the new one.

The new levy would cost the owner of a home with $100,000 value $52.50 a year, an increase of $20.90, according to the Miami County Auditor’s Office.

The district’s income this year is $2,396,487 from the existing levy, $187,330 from grants and $377,913 from other sources. The general budget expense breakdown has $720,791 for administration, $1,933,849 for operations and $568,575 for education.

Since the last levy was approved, park district visitation has gone from 445,770 in 2009 to 679,021 in 2016 with more than 800,000 visitations projected this year. “With the additional use, comes additional maintenance and law enforcement necessary to maintain our clean, safe parks,” Myers said.

The number of public programs grew to 2017 this year, from 95 in 2009. “The public continues to come to these programs in great numbers and consistently want more. We partner with a lot of organizations and communities throughout the county in other events not in our parks,” he said. Among the most popular programs are those with the schools.

District staffing has gone from 15 full time in 2009 to 18 full time along with several additional part-time staff to meet handle additional demands, Myers said.

If new funding is approved, then the district plans to add a public restroom at Lost Creek Reserve, commit $100,000 toward more off-road bike trail development and add programs to meet needs.