Recreation Levy
On May 2, 2023, Washington Township residents voted in favor of replacing a 1-mill existing levy with an increase of .5-mill with a 5-year term. Continue reading for additional information about the levy:
Residents of Washington Township and Centerville
Issue 4 | May 2 Ballot
This article is for information only and is not intended to
support or oppose the proposed levy.
Facts at a Glance
- Replacement of a 1-mill existing levy and an increase of .5-mill with a 5-year term.
- Funds recreation services for residents of Washington Township and Centerville
- Generates $3,278,936 annually
What the Levy Provides
- Programming and services inclusive of all ages and abilities including the fitness center, walking track, climbing wall, pools and waterslides, summer camps, senior center, Town Hall Theatre, and more.
- Ensures the recreation department can recruit and retain qualified and professional staff.
- Helps fund the recreation department's operating budget through a cost recovery model. This model balances user fees, memberships, and grants with tax dollars.
What it Costs
Homeowners would pay $53 per $100,000 of assessed value per year. To estimate how much your taxes would be if the levy passes, use our GIS tool and type in your address.
Taking Care of What We Have
The recreation department's five values are financial stability, inclusive and adapted access, improvement of health and wellness/quality, creating community, and a commitment to service. Securing funding for preventative maintenance and repairs helps ensure uninterrupted use of service.
What Does the Increase Pay For?
- Increased Operational Costs
- Facility Repairs
- Replacing aging HVAC system
- Updating women's locker room
- Incorporating family locker rooms
- Replacing transportation vehicles for senior and youth programs
- Resurfacing parking lots
- Foundation and restroom repairs at Town Hall
- Replacing bleachers in the pool area
- Countryside Park Improvements
- Permanent bathrooms
- Raised gardening beds for the senior adult community
- Widened and accessible park trails
- Accessible fishing pier on front pond
- Upgrades to the A-Frame shelter
- Revitalize Bass Lake, Turtle Lake, and Heron Pond
Leveraging Grants
Washington Township leverages tax dollars by securing alternate funding sources. Over the last five years, the Township has secured $1,017,347.88 in grant funding. Some examples of projects that have secured grant funding are:
- Town Hall Renovation
- Turtle Pond Revitalization
- Pool Deck Replaced
- Aquatic Wheelchair
- Playground Resurfacing
- New Water Feature in Pool
- Bass Lake Revitalization
- Accessible Ramp to Santa's Cabin
- Pool Deck Furniture and Umbrellas
Who Pays for Recreation?
The recreation department uses a cost-recovery model that balances user fees with tax dollars to ensure inclusive access to health and wellness. This model allows the recreation department to avoid incurring debt and to leverage alternate funding resources, such as grants, since many grants require the organization to match funds.
Serving the Community
Additional levy funding will allow the department to improve infrastructure such as adding bathrooms in the park, building picnic shelters, and expanding water access in Countryside Park to better serve park users, camps, and sports leagues. Popular community evets including Woodland Lights, the Cruise-In to the Ice Cream Social, and the Centerville Noon Optimist Fishing Derby will also benefit from these improvements.
Community Partners
The recreation department maintains reciprocal relationships throughout the community with the schools, parks, and libraries. One example is the opening of the Washington-Centerville Public Library Creativity Commons inside the RecPlex.
Washington Township has been designated as an Age-Friendly Community by the AARP. This means that the Township is dedicated to strengthening the features and services that help make our community livable for residents of all ages.
