The Metroparks Toledo board of commissioners took the final step in the process of putting a replacement levy on the fall ballot.
At the July 24 meeting, park commissioners approved a resolution to proceed with a 10-year, 1.4-mill replacement levy.
The current 10-year operating levy was approved in 2017 with an expiration of 2028.
Matt Cleland, chief financial officer, said this levy would replace the current one and will be used to operate, improve, conserve and protect the parks.
He estimates the cost to the owner of a $100,000 home to be $49 per year. The current levy collects at $38.70 per year. “It would be an increase of $10.30 per year,” he added.
“Our intent is to operate with replacement funding, and not to request additional funds above the replacement,” said Dave Zenk, executive director.
Park commissioner Fritz Byers pointed out that the replacement levy is needed to adjust for inflation.
Leveraging Dollars
Cleland gave a presentation on leveraging local dollars for the benefit of Metroparks and the county residents they serve.
He noted that in the last five years, Metroparks has obtained $60 million in state and federal grants to enhance the park system. That includes a $19 million RAISE grant, which was awarded on the park district’s first application.
“We thought that would take multiple tries,” he said, adding that without partnerships “none of these [grants] happen.”
Sources of funding at the federal level include the department of transportation, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Through the state, funding has come from the public works commission, Department of Natural Resources and state capital budget.
Locally, the Greater Toledo Community Foundation has been a funding source. With some of that money, Metroparks has spent $500,000 planting trees and $4 million in EPA grants for the Audubon Islands restoration project.
Grants were used for several park expansion projects; Secor, $4.2 million; Oak Openings, $3.1 million and Howard Marsh, $4.5 million.
The Glass City park and riverwalk remain a work in progress, he concluded, noting that when the current riverwalk project is complete in 2026, “the entire project will be 50 percent complete.”
Other Business
In other business, the park board:
•Amended the certificate of estimated resources and appropriations to reflect donation- supported initiatives and a grant for a stream study of the Anderson Pond to Swan Creek area.
•Approved a blanket purchase order not to exceed $225,000 payable to Fifth Third Bank to provide funds necessary to make credit card purchases this year.
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of grants, to seek a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for up to $91,554 for the purchase and installation of sun shade structures at the playground area of Glass City park.
The grant requires a 25 percent match, he said.
•Approved a contract increase of $330,201 with Mark Haynes Construction Inc. for the Audubon Islands State Nature Preserve restoration design- build project.
The additional funding was secured from the Ohio EPA, explained Zuri Carter, chief natural resources officer.
•Contracted with the Delventhal Company of Millbury for the 1030 Water Street improvement project at a cost of $1.98 million.
The company will construct 11- and 66-space parking lots; concrete walks; multipurpose path; drainage and erosion control; electric, gas and water utilities including fire department connections; lighting; landscaping and irrigation; site amenities, and related work.
•Paid bills for June totaling $2.83 million.
The next park board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 28, and is open to the public. The location has yet to be determined.
