Miami County voters gave the green light to a new decade of park funding Tuesday, approving a 10-year, 1.4-mill levy to support the Miami County Park District's operations, maintenance, conservation and programming. The measure passed with 58.83% of votes in favor and 41.17% against, according to final unofficial results.
The vote replaces the district's existing 1.5-mill levy, which voters first approved in 2017, as reported by Dayton Daily News. The Miami County Board of Park Commissioners committed by resolution to stop collecting the old levy as soon as the new one takes effect, and the district expects to begin collecting proceeds from the new levy in 2027. As with all Tuesday's contests, the results remain unofficial until certified by the Miami County Board of Elections.
A Lower Rate, But a Higher Bill
Despite carrying a lower millage rate than the levy it replaces, the new measure will actually cost property owners more. County auditor estimates cited in the same report show the new levy will cost about $49 a year for each $100,000 of market value, roughly $19 more annually than what residents currently pay. The increase traces back to how the two levies are calculated: the existing levy generates additional revenue only from new construction, while the new levy will be calculated using more recent property values, which pushes the per-household cost higher even at a reduced rate.
The levy is projected to generate an estimated $5.97 million annually for the park district. The combination of inflation, increased park use and expanded programming all factored into why officials sought the additional revenue, per the Dayton Daily News report.
Why the District Says It Needed More
The push for new funding followed warnings from park leadership that the district's finances were falling behind its workload. Park District Executive Director Scott Meyers explained that operating expenses had increased while revenue from the existing levy had remained essentially flat, according to the Tipp Gazette. The district reports about 1 million park visits annually, and a separate account from Miami Valley Today put the figure at over 1 million visitors per year, an increase over previous years, alongside 328 public programs annually.
Park officials reportedly selected the 1.4-mill rate based on projected financial needs rather than simply matching the prior levy's structure. The gap between flat revenue and rising costs appears to be the central financial pressure point the district pointed to in making its case to voters.
Where the Money Will Go
Levy proceeds are intended to support maintenance and improvement of parks and nature preserves across the county, including Charleston Falls Preserve, Garbry Big Woods, Hobart Urban Nature Preserve, Stillwater Prairie Reserve and Lost Creek Reserve. Funding will also go toward wildlife habitat, protection of river corridors and wetlands, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and educational programs for children and adults, per the Dayton Daily News report.
Ballot language tied to the levy specifically named several recurring events and programs the funding supports, including the Hug the Earth Festival, Summer Eco-splorers, Fall FarmFest and Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve. The Miami County Park District's offices sit on East State Route 41 in Staunton Township, east of Troy.
