City of Beavercreek residents will vote on a 0.49 mill continuous fixed parks levy on the November 5, 2024 ballot, following the passage of Resolution 24-25 by city council during their meeting on Monday, July 22, 2024. The funds generated from this continuous levy will support the City of Beavercreek’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Division, responsible for maintaining and improving the city’s 24 parks and operating the Beavercreek Senior Center.
The 0.49 mill levy will allocate funds to hire three additional full-time employees: two parks maintenance workers and a staff member for the Beavercreek Senior Center to assist with the center’s transportation program and daily operations. The levy will also increase annual capital funding by approximately $200,000 for equipment replacement, park and facility improvements, and enhancements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The levy does not include funds for developing amenities at Spring House Park as outlined in the park's master plan. Instead, funds will support maintaining the park in its current state and making minor site improvements.
The city's initial parks levy was approved in 2014 and increased by 0.3 mill in 2019, resulting in a continuous and fixed 1.2 mill levy. Fixed levies mean the city does not receive additional funds from property reappraisals; instead, the tax rate is adjusted among property owners so the city receives the same dollar amount. The city does receive an approximate 1 to 2% annual increase in property tax revenue as a result of new construction.
The city’s current parks levy was created based on a five-year projection model, which is industry standard. While the revenue from the levy is continuous, expenses eventually outpace revenue due to many factors. Currently, the city’s parks division is fully funded through 2024, but projections indicate that without additional funding, the parks division’s expenses will exceed revenue by approximately $250,000 starting in 2025 due to wage increases and inflationary factors.
In 2021, Beavercreek City Council established a vision statement outlining the city’s long-term objectives: “The City of Beavercreek is a safe, vibrant community, dedicated to serving the needs of residents and embracing the opportunities of tomorrow.” This vision is supported by six strategic priorities, including the creation of a right-sized workforce.
The city’s parks division currently employs 13 full-time and six part-time staff members, including leadership, recreation, senior center, and maintenance roles. Additionally, the division recruits approximately 20 seasonal employees, including camp counselors, interns, and maintenance staff, during the summer months.
In all, parks staff manages 434 acres of parkland, which includes 16 playgrounds and community hubs such as the Beavercreek Senior Center, Lofino Plaza, and C.I. Beaver Hall. Staff is also responsible for organizing dozens of recreational classes and programs throughout the year, as well as annual community events, including the Summer Concert Series, the 4th of July celebration, National Night Out, Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, and Winter Welcome at Wartinger Park.
“Even with the support of park volunteers, who contribute approximately 30,000 hours annually, additional staff is required to maintain our current levels of service,” said Parks Director Zach Wike.
Since 2019, demand for parks services has significantly increased. Registrations for parks programs have risen from 4,501 to 10,453, with corresponding growth in waitlists from 65 to 636 people. The number of people attending the parks division's events has also significantly increased over the past couple of years. Furthermore, membership at the Beavercreek Senior Center has grown from 1,525 to 2,247 members, and transportation trips have increased from 9,994 to 11,440 between 2019 and 2023. Revenue from these programs has also increased from $348,000 to $462,000, but it is insufficient to cover operational and capital expenses.
In addition to expanding its workforce, the 0.49 mill parks levy would increase funding for park and facility enhancements, including ADA improvements. In 2020, the parks division completed an ADA transition plan identifying 594 recommendations across city parks and facilities, totaling $1.88 million.
The division has a goal of utilizing a 10-year plan to address these recommendations and has completed approximately 175 projects, amounting to an investment of $65,000. Most completed work orders to date involve minor adjustments such as adjusting grab bar heights in restrooms, relocating obstacles for accessible routes, installing ADA-compliant fixtures and site amenities, and establishing accessible pathways to park amenities.
“ADA enhancements not only promote inclusivity but also increase safety, allowing all members of our community to enjoy our city’s parks confidently and comfortably,” said Wike. “Funds from this levy will allow the parks division to address the larger remaining ADA projects. We prioritize these tasks based on potential impact, coordinating with other projects to efficiently complete multiple work orders in specific areas.”
Over the past five years, the parks division has completed several capital projects at city parks, including replacing eight playgrounds, installing six pickleball courts, expanding parking, repaving roads, replacing bridges, constructing a new fishing dock, and developing trails and walking paths.
In the next five years, the parks division's top capital priorities include replacing playgrounds at Dominick Lofino Park, Virgallito Park, Summerfield Park, Hunters Ridge Park, and the skate park. The city’s parks division has a certified playground inspector on staff and strives to adhere to industry standards, which recommends that playgrounds be replaced approximately every 20 years to address safety, wear and tear, and liability concerns.
“The city prioritizes safety and accessibility in our parks,” said Wike. “Replacing the large playground and achieving ADA compliance at Dominick Lofino Park will be a significant investment.”
Additionally, the parks division plans asphalt and facility maintenance and upgrades at the Beavercreek Senior Center, C. I. Beaver Hall, Rotary Park, and several other parks.
“Rotary Park has recurring electric issues, including power outages,” said Wike. “The park's aging electric lines, which are more than 40-years-old, need to be replaced.”
Since 2017, the parks division has secured more than $3.4 million in grants, with a significant portion coming from the Greene County Council on Aging to support the daily operations of the Beavercreek Senior Center. Most grants are designated for specific projects and cannot be used for ongoing operations, including staffing.
The 0.49 mill parks levy would result in an annual property tax increase of $17 per $100,000 of appraised home value by the county auditor starting in 2025. The 0.49 mill continuous fixed levy would run concurrently with the existing 1.2 mill continuous levy. Click here for more information.