The Portage Parks District is seeking a 10 year additional and replacement tax levy to operate and maintain parks throughout Portage County. The endorsement application was submitted by Citizens For Portage Parks.

1. What is the title of your Issue/Question?

Portage Park District, Replacement and Additional Tax Levy, Operating and Maintaining Parks, 1 mill for 10 years commencing in 2024

2. What is the number assigned to your Issue/Question?

3. What is the text of your Issue/Question?

Tax being a replacement and additional tax of 1 mill that the county auditor estimates will collect $4,548,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $35 for each $100,000 dollars of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 10 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025. An existing levy of 0.5 mill expiring in 2023 will be cancelled and replaced upon passage of this levy.

4. Summarize what your Issue/Question would do if enacted:

The existing ½ mill levy that was passed by voters in 2014 (its first and only levy), expires at the end of 2023. It provides 95% of the operating budget that the Park District can count on, which is also used to match state and federal grants received for land acquisition and development.

Portage Park District now manages over 2,750 acres and 17 miles of hike and bike trail on 22 sites. The new levy will provide funding to maintain safe, clean parks and continue to grow your countywide system of parks and trails.

5. What is the cost of your Issue/Question?

The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 property, $35 per year or $2.92 per month.

6. Why is your Issue/Question necessary?

Since the levy was passed, the Park District has opened 4 new parks, improved existing parks, resurfaced multipurpose trails and permanently protected an additional 1,335 acres. It has grown from 2 employees to 11 full-time and 3 part-time staff working with dozens of active volunteers. An existing building was renovated into a park operations center with workshop and equipment storage for Maintenance, Natural Areas and Ranger staff. Public Education and Outreach staff have grown the volunteer corps and provided hundreds of free programs for all ages and abilities.

The Portage Park District is still a relatively young and small park district with great potential, and now is the time to pursue opportunities while they’re available, as development continues in Portage County.
Portage Park District now manages over 2,750 acres and 17 miles of hike and bike trail on 22 sites. It costs more now to keep them clean and safe with staff and equipment.
Without additional funds, we’re stuck in maintenance mode with just existing parks and trails. Development of new parks will have to wait, even on land we already own.
We want to grow partnerships and programs to serve more people in more places.
Grant funds are for specific projects and are very competitive. Grants still require some local match; we can’t count on grants for our park system development or operations.
The $2.92 per month per $100,000 property is still a small request with a great return, with lasting benefits for all in our own community, for generations to come.

Levy dollars are the primary funding source for the Portage Park District. These dollars provide 95% of all operations. Since 2014, however, the Portage Park District was able to use levy dollars to bring in over $7.3 million dollars in grants and donations and over $1.4 million in land and other donations—60 cents from outside sources for every tax dollar.

7. Has this issue been proposed in the past? If so, please explain:

The Park District was formed in 1991 and the only park in the county system then was Towner’s Woods. Thanks to grants and donations, the Park District was able to add parks and trails over the years, but always struggled to secure operating funds.

In 2014, general fund revenues were around $100,000, and much of that came from donations. After five previous attempts, voters approved the first and only levy in 2014 to support park operations. The ½ mill levy provides 95% of all park operating costs, including personnel, contract services, utilities, fuel, materials and supplies, equipment, vehicles, and matching funds for grants. The current levy is set to expire at the end of 2023.

8. Who would your Issue/Question impact and how?

All Portage County citizens of all ages and abilities. They will have access to all parks for recreation and educational programs. The Portage County will also benefit. With its transportation corridors, proximity to economic centers, plentiful water and open space, Portage County is very attractive to development, which continues to increase.

Portage Parks balances development with conservation while creating parks and trails for all, yielding environmental, social, health and economic benefits. For example:

Conserved land improves overall quality of life for communities, even if you don’t use them. • Parks are common ground for healthy, accessible recreation available to all, without fees.
Conserved land increases our resilience to extreme weather through forests and wetlands that moderate heat, filter drinking water, and reduce the potential for flooding.
Parks and trails increase property values and improve community quality of life.
Conserved land protects and improves air quality, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
Conserved land helps protect Portage County’s rural character and heritage, leaving a natural legacy for future generations.

9. What other Issues/Questions has your organization previously passed? Please list them below:

The current levy is set to expire at the end of 2023. This is the only levy related to the Portage Park District. On November 7, 2023, voters will be asked to consider the long-term needs of maintaining, repairing and improving Portage County Parks, and approve the proposed 1-mill, 10-year levy comprised of the county park system.

10. What will happen if this Issue/Question fails?

We will examine possible reasons for resistance and return to the ballot in 2024 with a renewed campaign. We believe that once voters are fully aware of the benefits and potential of the Park District for minimal cost, they will support the issue. If the issue fails in 2024, almost all staff will be laid off, and park maintenance ceased until funding is restored.

11. Describe current community support for your Issue/Question:

The Park District has community support from thousands of citizens, evidenced by program attendance, newsletter subscriptions, and park attendance.

The Portage Park Foundation, a separate nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to support the Portage Park District, demonstrates community support by measuring the number of community members who donate to the Park District and participate in sponsored events.

The Citizens for Portage Park District is the issue campaign committee, whose sole mission is to promote passage of the levy to support the Portage Park District, demonstrates community support by measuring donations, volunteers, and through passing the levy in 2014.

To date, we have received non-partisan endorsements from: the Portage County Townships Trustees Association and the Portage Park District Foundation. In addition, we enjoy bipartisan support from a Portage County Commissioner (R), the Portage County Auditor (R), the Portage County Treasurer (D), the Mayor of Aurora (R), the Mayor of Ravenna (D), the Mayor of Streetsboro (R). We are actively seeking additional endorsements. We have a bi-partisan advisory board of key community leaders and dozens of campaign volunteers.

12. How will information for your Issue/Question be available to the public?

We are participating in many local events throughout the county (e.g. Heritage Fest in Kent, Black Squirrel Festival at KSU, Ravenna Balloon Affair, Aurora Fall Festival, Flashes First Thursday sponsored by the KSU Center for Student Involvement, etc. ) where we provide individuals with information about the parks and give them an opportunity to ask questions.

We also speak to a variety of groups throughout the county (e.g. Township Trustees, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Meeting, student groups, etc. etc..) again, providing them with information and the opportunity to ask questions.

In addition to attending events and making local presentation to groups, information is available to the general public via our website and our Facebook Page.

Interested citizens can sign up for the weekly informational newsletter from the Citizens for Portage Park District. We are scheduled for several issue events with the League of Women Voters and will be giving presentations to Portage County local governing bodies. We are seeking opportunities to meet with KSU student group(s).