Watch: Lake Metroparks Executive Director Talks About Levy

The Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce held a candidates luncheon for all the people running for county offices last week at the LaMalfa Centre.

Additionally, Lake Metropark Interim Executive Director Paul Palagyi talked about why the parks system is putting a 0.3-mill replacement and 0.5-mill additional levy on the November ballot.

The new 10-year levy would produce $5.5 million per year while costing property owners $24.50 annually per $100,000 valuation, according to the Lake County Auditor's Office.

That is a $4.2 million annual increase from the current levy, which collects $5.80 per $100,000 valuation.

Palagyi said the levy is necessary because of the state's reduction in local parks funding and lower property tax collection.

He said those and other reductions forced Lake Metroparks to reduce their budget by five percent this year. Additionally, the Metroparks are expecting to lose another $3 million in funding because of decreased property tax collection next year.