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Sylvania council agrees to advance Metroparks levy endorsement pending finances
Summary
Lucas County Metroparks presenter asked the Sylvania City Council to endorse a replacement 1.4-mill operating levy; council voted to advance legislation authorizing an endorsement contingent on receiving required financial information.
Matt, a representative of Lucas County Metroparks, told the Sylvania City Council on April 7 that the park district is asking the city to endorse a replacement operating levy of 1.4 mills to replace a levy first approved in February 2007 and renewed in 2017. He said the levy would fund routine operations — “our grocery money” — used for trails, restrooms, tree planting and youth camps.
The council advanced legislation to endorse the levy, contingent on receipt of financial and other data the city’s endorsement policy requires. Council member Mrs. Westfall made the motion to advance the endorsement and a second was recorded; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Why it matters: Metroparks officials said the levy replacement would update the 2007 property-value base and maintain service levels as park use has grown. Matt told council the request would amount to about $1.60 per month for every $100,000 of home value (about $49 per year on a $100,000 home), and that the parks system has seen larger use since 2017 and attracted state and federal grants.
Council members asked questions about the levy language and compliance with the city’s policy governing endorsements. Mrs. Westfall noted the city requires financial information before issuing an endorsement; Metroparks agreed to provide the requested materials and staff agreed to prepare legislation for the next council meeting so the city can meet election-timing deadlines. Mayor and council members signaled general support for Metroparks’ work while reserving final action until the financial documents are delivered.
The council vote to advance the endorsement was recorded as an affirmative voice vote with no opposition noted; the endorsement will return to a future meeting with the requested supporting materials.
