By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to put a 2-mill replacement levy for the city’s parks and recreation programs on the ballot in November.
If passed, the owner of a $150,000 home will pay an additional $20.05 annually for the levy over the next five years.
The current 2 mills bring in $954,225 a year for the city parks and recreation programs, with the owner of a $150,000 home paying $79.27 a year. The replacement levy with the same millage will generate $1.1 million.
Bowling Green voters have traditionally been strong supporters of park levies when they appear on the ballot.
The last time a parks and rec levy was on the Bowling Green ballot in 2016, it was a brand new levy – asking voters to support an increase to 2 mills from the previous 1.6 mills that had been in place for 15 years.
Even with that increase, the levy passed with nearly 70% of the votes.
BG Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley is hopeful voters – who flocked to the parks during the pandemic – will again show their support in November.
“They understand the essentialness of what we do,” she said.
The property tax levy and the percentage of city income tax dedicated to the parks makes up one-third of the parks and recreation revenue.
A master plan is currently being conducted to identify goals and challenges faced by the parks and recreation department during the next five years. One of the big expenses will be a new roof needed for the community center.
Also at Monday’s meeting, City Council heard the first reading of a resolution authorizing the city to apply for grants from the Wood County Park District. The city parks and recreation staff plans to apply for three grants to help fund the purchase of:
- New playground equipment at Carter Park.
- Recreational equipment for City Park.
- Interpretive signage for the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve.
In other business, Mayor Mike Aspacher introduced the city’s new finance director, Dana Pinkert. She previously worked in municipal finances in Lancaster, South Carolina, and before that in Ashtabula, Ohio.
Aspacher then recognized the service of Brian Bushong, who is retiring as the city’s finance director.
“Brian came to work for the city in 2008 and has been an exceptional public servant,” the mayor said. Aspacher pointed out that Bushong agreed to extend his service to help the city navigate the pandemic.
Also at the meeting:
- Aspacher read a proclamation recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Month.
- Council learned that the U.S. Department of Interior has approved Bowling Green’s historic preservation plans. The mayor praised the efforts of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Director Heather Sayler.
- Council approved the appointment of Mark Remeis to the city planning commission.
- Chamber of Commerce Director Mary Hinkelman reminded council of the fireworks planned for July 3, to be set off from the Wood County Fairgrounds. More information about the event will be released later this week.
