Beavercreek parks warn of deeper cuts after failed levies; seniors plead to restore hours

Zach, a parks division staffer, told the City of Beavercreek Parks, Recreation and Culture Board on Dec. 9 that two failed levies have forced substantial reductions to parks capital and operations. The department reduced capital by $242,000 in 2025 and expects roughly $150,000 more in cuts in 2026, amounting to approximately $400,000 less than the 2024 budget.

Those reductions have already affected services: the senior center’s evening and weekend hours were eliminated and several capital projects — including replacement of the playground at Dominic Lafino Park — were deferred. Zach said the department also eliminated about $40,000 in contracted mowing and landscaping and will shift more maintenance duties to existing staff, resulting in reduced mowing frequency and lower pesticide and fertilizer applications.

Why it matters: Parks and senior services rely on local levies and general fund subsidies that are constrained when ballot measures fail, officials said. Zach traced the shortfall to a 1.93‑mill levy defeated in 2023 (which had funded Spring House Park development) and a smaller 0.49‑mill levy defeated in November 2024, which would have funded operations and capital. “We had to reduce our budget by $242,000 this year,” Zach said.

Residents pressed the board for remedies. Nancy Bridal, who identified herself as a lifelong Beavercreek resident, said the hour cuts exclude many working older adults who previously used evening and Saturday programs and asked where funds that were said to be available through December had been allocated. “It doesn’t sound like there’s much you can do, but maybe you can at least sympathize with us and think of a solution,” Bridal said.

Other senior center members proposed practical steps. Joyce Carter suggested forming a task force of center users to pursue community fundraising and business partnerships; Julie Norman urged leveraging volunteerism and exploring neighborhood–HOA maintenance arrangements for small, embedded parks to reduce city costs. Staff and board members repeatedly said the advisory board does not control the city budget and encouraged residents to contact city council, which approved the 2026 budget the night before.

Staff described possible funding paths and timing. Zach said a newly approved property tax levy placed on the ballot in 2026 would not begin collections until 2027; a local income tax (if adopted) would take longer to reach full yield. He also warned that a statewide petition to abolish property taxes could, if successful, eliminate the property tax base that funds schools, libraries and local services.

What’s next: Staff encouraged residents to contact parks staff for data, to meet with city council members, and to consider grant and donation options for specific items (Zach said the department is pursuing an ODOT grant and Greene County Council on Aging funds to replace a large senior center van but has no local allocation). The advisory board adjourned after agreeing to share sponsorship and volunteer opportunities for upcoming events.