TOLEDO, Ohio — Metroparks Toledo is asking Lucas County voters to approve a replacement levy for park operations in the upcoming May primary election. The levy, which would replace a previous one approved in 2007 and renewed in 2017, comes with a significant twist. Although it is not a new tax, the replacement may still result in higher costs for some homeowners due to changes in property valuations over the last two decades.
Metroparks leaders emphasized that they are fulfilling their commitment not to ask for additional funding from taxpayers. However, the new levy would be based on the current value of homes, as opposed to the 2007 values used for the previous levy. This shift means that homeowners with increased property values since 2007 could see higher taxes.
“This is how we go about doing the best in the business,” said Matt Killam, a spokesperson for Metroparks Toledo. “We’ve been running our house, if you will, on 20-year-old money.”
The levy, which funds the day-to-day operations of 19 metro parks across Lucas County, has been essential for maintaining and expanding the park system, which has seen a 62% increase in attendance over the past seven years. The current levy, based on 2007 property values, has not kept pace with rising costs and growing demand.
Killam pointed out that while the levy’s millage rate (the tax rate) would remain unchanged, the updated property valuations could lead to higher tax bills for homeowners whose properties have increased in value since 2007. Despite this potential increase, Metroparks officials insist that this is not a new tax. Instead, it’s a “replacement” levy aimed at modernizing the funding structure to better reflect current property values.
“We promised we would not ask for new money,” Killam explained. “What this is, is a replacement. We’re not in charge of housing valuations; this just allows us to modernize the levy to reflect the current value of homes.”
The levy’s renewal is coming at a time when the Ohio legislature is considering a bill that could prohibit replacement levies in the future. Metroparks Toledo is acting now to secure the funding it needs for the next phase of park operations, before any potential changes to the law are enacted.
While some may question why the replacement levy is necessary when the previous one is still in effect, Killam reassured voters that the commitment to not seek additional funds remains intact. “The commitment we’re honoring is the promise not to ask for new money,” he said. “This is simply a replacement, just as we said it would be.”
Despite the potential confusion over the replacement terminology, Metroparks Toledo remains confident that voters will understand the reasoning behind the change. “We believe voters understand that one of their best bangs for the buck is the Metroparks,” Killam added.
Early voting for the May primary begins Tuesday, and Lucas County residents will soon decide whether the replacement levy will move forward. The outcome could have significant financial implications for homeowners, particularly those with higher property values.