Village Council adopts 1.0‑mill parks levy renewal to replace aging Bicentennial Park equipment

The Village Council on July 20 approved Resolution No. 26‑33, a renewal of a one (1.0) mill tax for parks and recreational purposes, by a 6–0 roll call vote. Councilman Rodney Earick moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Alexander Rocks seconded; the measure was carried as an emergency under the citations noted on the resolution (R.C. 5705.19(H), 5705.03).

Law Director John Studenmund told council the measure must be treated as a renewal rather than a replacement levy under recent state changes; he told members that council must pass the levy by the end of 2027 to proceed with a renewal request in 2028. During discussion, Councilman Keith Bacin asked which capital items the levy would fund. Administrator Peter Them said the largest anticipated cost is replacement of the aging play structure (the park fort) at Bicentennial Park, while he described other village parks as generally in good condition. Council members also discussed timing of the levy relative to local school levies and the potential for private donations to offset costs.

Council had earlier voted 6–0 to waive the rule requiring that resolutions originate in a standing committee and to waive the separate‑reading requirement so the resolution could be considered and adopted the same night. The council recorded Yeas: 6; Nays: 0; Abstains: 0 for the adoption vote. The resolution text on the meeting record describes the levy as a renewal of a one‑mill tax in excess of the ten‑mill limitation and cites the Ohio Revised Code sections listed on the resolution.