Issue 19 on the November 7 ballot
At the July 11 meeting of the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) Board of Commissioners, a resolution was passed to place a 1.0-mill levy replacement question on the November 7 ballot. This levy will replace an expiring 0.9-mill levy. The 0.9-mill levy was originally approved by voters in 2004 and was renewed at the same level in 2014.
The Park District’s primary source of revenue is from property tax levies provided by Centerville and Washington Township residents. CWPD does not receive operating monies from the City of Centerville, Washington Township, Montgomery County or Five Rivers MetroParks. This levy will generate approximately $2M in revenue, which will provide funding to keep facilities in top shape, while adding various requested improvements. CWPD has been operating with the same levy funding since 2008.
Homeowners would pay $35/year per $100,000 of their current assessed home value (not the tentative values released in August by the Montgomery County Auditor). This equates to an additional $13.39/year per $100,000 of assessed home value (or an additional $1.11/month).
Investments over the next 10 years are driven by resident feedback and will include:
- Repairing aging hardscape areas, such as paved trails and courts
- Conservation and habitat management of natural areas
- Implementation of the Grant Park Master Plan, including new wayfinding
- Replacing aging equipment and park amenities, such as playgrounds
- Continuation of CWPD’s ADA Transition Plan
- Continuation of award-winning program offerings
- Ensuring the Park District can retain excellent, highly qualified staff
In keeping with our value of fiscal responsibility, the Park District continually pursues available grants for park improvement projects and program initiatives. Over the past seven years, this has led to $2.9M in grant funding, which has made countless park improvements possible, including 32 acres added to Pleasant Hill Park, the creation of Hithergreen Park, a new Forest Field Park playground, archery range improvements, a new Schoolhouse Park playground, Hole’s Creek streambank restoration and much more!
The Centerville-Washington Park District has played a vital role in improving the quality of life for Washington Township and Centerville residents since 1959 – delivering fun, healthy and outstanding park experiences that connect the community with the outdoors. “Park District staff are passionate about creating positive memories for the residents of Centerville and Washington Township! Funding from this replacement levy will ensure the continuation of the high-quality parks, amenities and programs that make our community exceptional,” said CWPD Executive Director Kristen Marks.
The Park District also has a 2.0-mill operating levy, which was renewed by voters in 2017.
Levy stories are for information and are not intended to support or promote the levy. The Centerville-Washington Park District operates eight community parks, nine nature parks and 34 neighborhood parks encompassing 1,063 acres in Centerville and Washington Township.