COSI levy recommended for November ballot
7/11/2007The Lucas County Citizens Tax Levy Review Committee voted unanimously with one abstention this morning to recommend the county commissioners place COSI s five-year, 0.167-mill levy on the November ballot.
The commissioners have until Aug. 23 to approve the committee's recommendation.
The levy, if approved, would provide COSI with about $1.5 million annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $5 more per year in property taxes.
An identical levy lost by 1,200 votes last November. It was the science museum s first attempt to seek tax funding for its operation.
David Waterman, Chairman of COSI s board, said failure to pass a levy this time will result in the closure of COSI s Toledo operation.
The review committee, which was established by Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken in 2005, remained neutral on COSI s request last year.
Ardenia Jones-Terry, chairperson of the committee, said the committee supported COSI s levy this time because the committee has made changes for the benefit of Lucas County in the last year.
She said COSI has made connections with more area schools, increased diversity on its board, and is better marketing its product to county residents.
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