B.G. contemplates new swimming pool

Levies also on ballot in Sandusky County, Delta, Metamora, Rossford, and Perrysburg

3/4/2012

A rendering outlines the proposal for a new pool in Bowling Green's City Park.

A new swimming pool in Bowling Green, additional funds to operate the Delta Police Department, and a sixth request for a mental health levy in Sandusky County are among the tax questions before northwest Ohio voters Tuesday.

Bowling Green voters will decide whether they want to pay for construction of a new outdoor pool at City Park, where the existing 1963 pool is in need of replacement. City Council has said it would put the question to residents just once.

"[Council Finance Committee Chairman] Bob McOmber said this is a one-time chance; people either vote it up or vote it down and we move on. We'll keep the pool open as long as we can," said Michelle Grigore, parks director. "I'm perfectly comfortable with what the community decides. "

VOTER'S GUIDE TO SUPER TUESDAY

If approved, the 20-year, 0.6-mill bond issue would generate some $3.8 million to build a new outdoor "aquatic facility" in the same spot as the existing pool.

The new pool would include lap lanes as well as areas where swimmers walk into the pool, a splash pad and splash toys, slides, a new bathhouse, and a new filtration system.

Voters in both the Way Public Library and the Rossford Public Library districts will decide whether to renew levies that help fund operations at the libraries.

Rossford has a five-year, 1-mill levy that brings in $417,841 a year for library operations; Perrysburg's Way library has a four-year, 1.5-mill levy that generates $852,972 a year. For the owner of a house valued at $100,000, that amounts to $29.35 a year for Rossford and $45.94 a year for Way, according to the Wood County Auditor's Office.

In Fulton County, voters in Delta are being asked to approve an additional five-year, 5-mill operating levy for the police department.

It would raise $242,000 annually to help pay for operations and equipment for police.

The money is needed, officials said, because Delta expects to lose $228,000 a year because of state funding cuts and a 12 percent drop in local property tax revenue.

In Metamora, voters will decide an additional five-year, 0.5-mill levy to establish a park fund, to operate and maintain Metamora Community Park, and to help pay for recreational improvements to the reservoir property owned by the village.

The levy would bring in $5,150 a year and cost the owner of a $100,000 house $15.31 annually.

Sandusky County voters are being asked a sixth time to approve an additional five-year, 0.8-mill operating levy that would generate about $940,000 to help provide mental health services through the tri-county Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

The proposed levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $24 annually. The other counties in the area, Wyandot and Seneca, have already approved their levies.

Sandusky County voters also will be asked to approve an additional 2-mill operating levy for the county's Board of Developmental Disabilities, which operates the School of Hope. If approved, it would raise about $2.3 million a year for a continuing period.

In Henry County, where voters in November soundly rejected an appeal for additional funds for the Henry County Health District, the health board now is asking for a pared-down, 1.2-mill replacement levy for five years. It would bring in $722,800 a year for general operations of the health department and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $36.75 a year.

In Seneca County, voters will be asked to renew a 0.5-mill, five-year levy for the county's Board of Developmental Disabilities, which operates the School of Opportunity. The levy generates about $280,000 a year and costs the owner of a $100,000 house $6.67 a year.

Hancock County voters are being asked to renew a five-year, 1.3-mill levy for the county's Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services. The levy generates more than $2.1 million a year and costs the owner of a $100,000 home about $40 a year.

In Fulton County, the Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking a five-year, 2-mill renewal levy. The levy generates about $1.6 million a year and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $61.25.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-724-6129.