In a recent development regarding the fiscal affairs of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Delaware County judge James P. Shuck has ruled against the institution, permitting Liberty Township to begin collecting a $1 surcharge on each zoo admission ticket. This decision comes after the zoo's failed attempt to seek a preliminary injunction to halt the township's "Protect and Serve Charge," which, according to The Columbus Dispatch, was established to cover fire and EMS costs accrued from emergency responses to the zoo's facility.
The surcharge is slated to go into effect from Sept. 1, but in a gesture of understanding to the zoo’s predicament, township trustees voted to delay the fee's implementation by 30 days. Having passed the Ohio House Bill 315 in April 2024 that lets townships tax up to $1 per admission ticket for fire and emergency services, the zoo had argued the bill targeted large concert venues, not their establishment. Liberty Township officials, however, held that the zoo fits the bill as an "entertainment venue", a stance that Judge Shuck supported in his ruling obtained by WOSU Public Media.
The Columbus Zoo also claimed that imposing such a fee would grant the township a windfall far beyond the costs of emergency services. Judge Shuck, however, found that the zoo could not demonstrate lasting harm from the surcharge. Remarkably, Judge Shuck noted that the tax applied to the zoo and not its patrons directly, giving the zoo the choice to pass the cost on to visitors or not. This clarification was highlighted in NBC4i's coverage of the litigation.
Despite the legal setback, a representative for the Columbus Zoo has stated, "Liberty Township has no legal authority for this tax to be imposed on our guests. We are continuing to make our legal case, and we are confident the court will ultimately affirm our position." This comes from an email penned by Nicolle Gomez Racey, the zoo spokeswoman, highlighting the institution's continuous efforts to fight the charge despite the legal rulings thus far.
