Bath Voters May See Park Levy on November Ballot

Bath Township officials are debating whether to ask voters to renew a levy for the parks this year -- and whether the issue can be smaller this time around.

The .75-mill issue expires at the end of 2014, but trustees may ask voters to renew it this year, to give it a second chance at the polls if it should fail.

The levy, which is expected to generate about $372,000 this year, is crucial to the parks' operation.

"This levy makes up 94 or 95 percent of the budget," Parks Director Mike Rorar said.

The township is also looking at reducing the size of the issue. 

Trustees this week asked the Summit County fiscal officer to determine how much the levy would generate if it appeared on the ballot as a .75-mill renewal, and how much a .71-mill replacement levy would produce.

"We want to see the best rate to collect it at," Township Administrator Vito Sinopoli said.

Rorar said he believes the issue can be reduced a bit.

"We're seeing if we can crank it down a little more and save some money for the residents," he said.

This is the third time the township will ask voters to renew the five-year issue, which pays for salaries, park maintenance, programs and capital improvements.