LEXINGTON — Residents will consider a 1-mill, five-year replacement levy for the village’s parks in the November election.
Lexington Village Council voted on the measure at its July 13 meeting, passing it by a 6-0 margin with one abstention.
“It’s a parks levy that we’ve had since 1992,” Mayor Bob Jarvis said. “We were faced with a decision. The choice was renewal or replacement. Council decided to go with replacement.”
The replacement levy would generate $135,400 a year, compared to $87,600 for a renewal levy.
“A renewal would be based on the valuation of properties in 1992,” Jarvis said. “A replacement will look at the valuation of the properties as they currently are.”
The estimated cost to property owners would be $35 per $100,000.
If the replacement levy passes, money will be earmarked for three main projects. Jarvis said the village would like to put in pickleball courts on the property beside the Clearfork Swim Club.
Officials also are looking to build a pavilion on the green space on the downtown square, the area that once housed a strip mall with East of Chicago Pizza.
The third goal is to start replacing playground equipment.
“Playground equipment is so expensive,” Jarvis said. “You can get to $500,000 without even breaking a sweat.”
The mayor said Bicentennial Park is most in need of new playground equipment.
Lexington has more than 60 acres of parkland operated by the village from sports fields and skate parks to river access and walking trails. Key local parks include:
“We’re proud of our parks. We like them,” Jarvis said. “Hopefully, people still see the value when they come out and cast their ballots.”
Reach Mark Caudill at 419-521-7219 or via X at @MarkCau32059251.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Lexington residents to consider replacement levy for parks
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
