Butler County MetroParks is asking local voters to vote “Yes” for a proposed replacement property tax on November 2. 

The tax levy, or Issue  No. 1 on the ballot, is a six-year replacement levy at the current tax rate of 0.7-mills passed in 2010 and again in 2016. The current levy is set to expire in December 2022, according to the MetroParks website. Taxes will not go up if the levy passes.

The cost of the 0.7-mill levy for a $100,000 property would be approximately $24.50 per year, according to Katie Ely, the supervisor of Community and Park Relations for Butler County. 

After funding from the state of Ohio was decreased by half, MetroParks started operating on local property taxes, Ely said. 

“The State’s Local Government Fund was cut during the years of Governor Kasich’s administration,” Ely said. “The cuts remain in place today, and MetroParks relies on the local property tax to fund the majority of its operating budget.” 

Ely said approximately 80% of MetroParks’ operating budget is from this property tax. If approved, the tax money generated will keep the parks open, clean and safe for 5 years. 

Without funding from the levy, MetroParks will have to cut funding from existing programs to balance the budget. 

According to the district’s website, “This might result in closed parks and/or reduced park maintenance and programming since the MetroParks receive no operating funds from the Butler County General Fund or from other local political subdivisions.” 

The website notes that park costs have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden growth in park visitation as people sought safe, outdoor activities.

“A record 1.2 million people enjoyed a visit to MetroParks in 2020,” according to the website. “Trends indicate the total park system visitation in 2021 will break the 2020 record.” 

In addition to the increasing number of visitors, MetroParks also has seen an increase in maintenance costs. 

“For example, MetroParks saw a 25% increase in the cost of contract mowing for all MetroParks locations,” the website reads. 

The Butler County Auditor’s Office estimates the levy generates approximately $6.7 million in annual revenue for the parks.

MetroParks of Butler County operates 11 parks, 60 miles of trails and about 85 park facilities in the county, including the Oxford-Reily Road Park Area and the Mill Race Preserve Area off Corso Road in Oxford. The preserve area is located just passed the Black Covered Bridge and is accessible via the Oxford Area Trail System. 

According to the MetroParks website, the funds allow the organization to operate and enhance existing parks and natural areas by maintaining trails, replacing playground equipment and providing restrooms and shelters to park patrons. 

Levy funds also contribute to improving water quality of natural waterways, protecting wildlife, and providing educational and recreational programming at the parks. 

“MetroParks is dedicated to maintaining quality parks for its residents, and securing funding through the upcoming levy will ensure that the parks remain accessible, safe and open for all to enjoy for the next six years,” said Jonathan Granville, Executive Director of MetroParks in a press release.