The League of Women Voters of Oxford supports Issue 1 in the November 2 General Election. This issue is a renewal of the tax levy to support the operations of MetroParks of Butler County. The current levy, which is in place for six years, expires in December 2022. The renewal would continue support at the same level for another six years beginning in January 2023.

The levy is a RENEWAL, it is not asking for anything more than is now being assessed, which is .07 mills for the next six years. This amounts to $24.50 a year for every $100,000 of property valuation. The levy provides approximately 80% of MetroParks’ budget. The rest is raised with grants, donations, and fees.

Butler County residents can visit all the parks for free, after obtaining a vehicle pass.

The League of Women Voters supports “an effective recreation and parks program” that is “arrived at with public input and sustained by an informed public for natural resource management in the area of land use.”. MetroParks manages over 5,000 acres of preserved land in 11 parks that are open daily to county citizens. While 80% of the land is managed as natural landscapes, there are paved trails for hiking, biking, running and walking; there are play areas, shelters for picnics and campsites for overnight enjoyment. In addition, there are regularly scheduled educational programs and special events for families.

Given these benefits to our community, we support this levy and urge Butler County voters to VOTE ‘YES’ for the RENEWAL of the MetroParks Levy ISSUE 1 on the November 2 Ballot.