Parks commission seeks property tax

TEMPERANCE - Bedford Township voters are likely to be asked for the fourth time in four years to approve a tax issue to support park improvements in the township.

The township parks commission voted to put a millage request on the primary election ballot in August to pay for improvements and operations at recreation facilities.

John Mohr, chairman of the parks commission, said the millage request will go before the township board, probably on March 16, for approval to go on the Aug. 3 ballot.

The proposal would be for a five-year, 0.175-mill property tax, the same millage amount that township voters narrowly rejected in 2008.

The property tax would generate an estimated $175,000 in the first year.

In August, 2008, the millage proposal lost by 199 votes.

The 0.175 mills would have generated about $189,000, and the owner of a house with a $100,000 taxable value would have paid an additional $17.50 a year in taxes.

Because of lower home values, the request intended for the August ballot would cost owners less annually in taxes.

Mr. Mohr said he understands voter resistance to approving new taxes because of the bad economy.

"We got to get out and talk to people. I know what the economy is like," he said.

He and other park commission members plan to be at this weekend's Bedford Trade Fair at Bedford High School to explain to residents that money is needed to repair and maintain playground equipment and keep parks from falling into disrepair.

"We will be there with information on parks and maps. Hopefully we can answer questions from people about why we are asking for millage," Mr. Mohr said.

Mr. Mohr said he planned to resurrect the group called the Bedford Township Friends of the Parks Committee to assist in urging voter approval.

In addition to the August, 2008, defeat, millage requests for the park were rejected two other times.

A 0.3-mill property tax request failed in August and November of 2006.

The township also collected taxes for parking through a 0.25-mill levy that expired in 2006. That money could be used only for property and equipment.