By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council took a unified stance Monday on the parks and recreation levy planned for the fall ballot – but only after an hour of debate.
Some wanted a more cautious approach, while others believed Bowling Green voters could be counted on to pass additional millage.
No one on council questioned the need for a 2-mill levy for parks and recreation, but at least two members wanted the millage split into two levies that add up to 2 mills. Their concern was the devastating effect if voters didn’t pass the additional millage.
Both Bob McOmber and Bruce Jeffers spoke in favor of two smaller levies. “I think it has a very good chance of passing that way,” Jeffers said.
But when a motion was put forth to accept the parks and recreation board’s recommendation for one 2-mill levy, both McOmber and Jeffers supported the motion.
“I don’t want anyone to use a split vote on the levy as ammunition,” McOmber said.
McOmber said he was aware his stance would be “unpopular,” however, his fear is that voters will easily pass a renewal but may balk at the additional millage. By offering two levies, the parks could at least count on the existing levy amount continuing.
“If the renewal dollars go away, they are facing a disaster,” McOmber said.
Repairs being made to shelter house in City Park on Monday.
Park levies in Bowling Green have traditionally been well supported, but they have also normally been on spring ballots. McOmber pointed out that since the present levy ran out in 2015, there is no wiggle room if this levy fails. There will be no second chance in the fall.
If that were to happen, the park district would lose 30 percent of its budget, or $638,000 annually.
“That goes away because the current levy expired,” he said. “It will be zero.”
But while McOmber and Jeffers preferred a more cautious approach, others felt confident that the parks and recreation department can convince citizens of the need for 2 mills.
“It is an easy story to tell,” Council member Mike Aspacher said. “It’s going to be important to get out there and sell the message.”
Aspacher noted that Bowling Green citizens have traditionally shown how much they value their parks. “There is that very strong history of the community supporting the parks.”
Council member Sandy Rowland said the levy committee initially talked about asking for 2.4 mills, but realized that would be asking too much of voters.
“Today, we need no less than two full mills,” Rowland said. “Going for a lesser amount is simply trying to fool our public.”
Rowland admitted that it isn’t pleasant asking for more tax revenue, but it is necessary, she said.
“This is not any easy decision. I told people I wouldn’t vote to raise taxes,” Rowland said. “I was wrong.”
For 16 years, the parks and recreation department has gotten by on the 1.4-mill levy. In that same period, the facilities, properties and programs have grown including the addition of the Simpson Building, garden park, Ridge Park, skate park and more, said Kristin Otley, director of the parks and recreation department.
All those additions were made at the requests of citizens, Otley explained.
But now the department needs more funding in order to maintain those facilities. “We need to take care of what we have,” she said.
Melanie Stretchbery makes pitch for 2-mill levy for parks and recreation.
The additional millage will give the department $274,000 more a year. That will pay for a lot of deferred maintenance projects, and continued programming.
“There are buildings that we have that need great care,” Otley said, noting the critical needs at the Veterans Building in City Park.
Private donations to the park foundation are paying for current repairs to the roof at the Rotary Nature Center.
“You can only kick the can so far down the road,” Melanie Stretchbery, of the levy committee, said to council. The need for the 2-mill levy will cover the bare essentials, “no more, no less,” she said.
Other council members agreed that one 2-mill levy made the most sense. John Zanfardino expressed concern that voters may be confused by two levies. Theresa Charters Gavarone said the 2-mill levy was a “bare necessity” for the department.
“Our park system is really one of our crown jewels in Bowling Green,” Daniel Gordon said.
And Mayor Dick Edwards voiced his support for one 2-mill levy, saying it was a “well reasoned recommendation.”
Now that the millage has been set, council will vote at a future meeting on putting the 2-mill levy on the November ballot.
