Beavercreek parks face growing deficit after levy failures; city council pauses new levy this spring

Beavercreek Parks, Recreation and Culture staff reported to the board on Feb. 11 that a series of failed park levy measures has put the division into its sixth year of funding and into an initial deficit, requiring $242,000 in deferred capital projects for 2025 and forcing planners to outline deeper service reductions if no new levy is adopted.

The update delivered by Zach, division staff, summarized the levy history and current finances. Zach said the city’s continuous park levy now yields an effective 0.787 mills — “it generates just shy of $1,800,000 a year,” he said — which accounts for roughly 60% of the division’s revenue. Because the division had expected renewal or replacement levies on a roughly five-year cycle, the failed 2023 (1.93 mills) and 2024 (0.49 mill) levies mean the department is now cutting capital and preparing contingency plans.

The board was told why the cuts were needed and what they would mean to services. Zach said the division deferred a playground replacement, ADA accessibility upgrades at Beaver Hall, and replacement of two mowers and a trailer as part of the $242,000 in reductions for 2025. He outlined a projection showing…