Thompson mentioned the possible formation of a district, like one established just north in Centerville-Washington Twp., after assistant City Manager Chris Pozzuto outlined about $7.3 million in improvements and land acquisition costs for the city system.
The plan included improvements, such as sports fields and a tunnel beneath Lower Springboro Road, and the purchase of more land for parks north of Clearcreek Park and on the Cox Farm off Pennyroyal Road.
Pozzuto showed how the city had spent $600,000 in general operating funds in recent years as building permit fees, traditionally used to fund the park system, dwindled.
“If we’re going to take them to the next level, we’re going to have to fund them,” Mayor John Agenbroad said.
Agenbroad and other Council members urged Thompson to explore creation of a joint district and increased funding with Clearcreek Twp.
Administrator Dennis Pickett said the township is developing the Patricia Allyn Park on Ohio 48 and recently purchased more land for another park.
Pozzuto said the Council could propose a five-year, 3-mill levy to fund the entire plan or a smaller levy or explore other options, such as increased funding from the township, which currently provides $75,000 from inside millage — half the previous annual funding.
A smaller continuing levy could be used to pay for maintenance, officials said.
Despite last week’s defeat of a fifth consecutive school levy for new operating money for Springboro schools, 1st Ward Councilman David Vomacka noted local voters recently approve a library levy.
“Certainly we don’t want to compete with the schools at all,” Pozzuto said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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