New Philadelphia Mayor proposes parks levy to fix budget issues
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The city is considering putting a parks levy on the ballot this November.
After months of tense budget discussions among city administrators and Council members, Mayor Joel Day told Council the city’s financial structure is outdated and unsustainable, and a 5-year, 2.4-mill levy to fund the parks would help fix it.
“By removing the parks department’s $1.2 million annual budget from the general fund, existing capital is unlocked to flow to the needs of other departments,” Day said. “We move from budget battles to budget stability.”
Day says the city’s safety forces, road paving and other services would benefit if the levy passes.
He says the levy would cost $7 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home, $14 per month for the owner of a $200,000 home or $21 per month for the owner of a $300,000 home. It would generate $1.3 million per year.
The four Council members in attendance at a special meeting Monday agreed with the mayor and added the levy proposal to their legislative agenda.
Day said they will likely vote to put the issue on the November ballot at their meeting on July 27.