Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the “Preserve Our Parks” campaign?

A: The “Preserve Our Parks” campaign is a community-driven effort uniting supporters of the Anderson Park District (“APD”) to highlight the vital importance of passing a 1.8 mill replacement/reduction operating levy this fall. This initiative aims to educate residents about how their vote will directly sustain the high-quality parks, programs, and natural spaces that enhance our community’s well-being and quality of life.

Q: What is an operating levy?

A:  An operating levy provides funding for the day-to-day operations of the park district.

This Anderson Park District operating levy will help cover:

• Personnel, utilities, and supplies to keep nine parks and many facilities running smoothly

• Maintenance of picnic shelters, playgrounds, trails, athletic fields, and courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and sand volleyball

• Upkeep of ball diamonds, the dog field, amphitheater, skatepark, and the RecPlex (which includes 3 classrooms, a gym, and a covered patio)

The Anderson Park District owns, manages, and maintains 521 acres of parkland, offering year-round recreation for all ages.

Q: What is a replacement levy?

A: A replacement levy is a type of property tax that replaces an expiring levy.  The cost of the levy is based on your home’s appraised value from the County auditor. 

Park levies expire and do not stack up over time.  Park levies only exist during the exact time period they are approved for.

Q: What is the current Anderson Park District operating levy?

A: The current APD operating levy is 1.9 mills, which in 2016 was $66.50 per $100,000 of the assessed value of your home.  This levy expires in 2026.

Q: What is the cost of the November 2025 levy?

A: The cost of the proposed 1.8 replacement/reduction operating levy is $63 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.

Q: Is this November 2025 levy a replacement levy or a new levy?

A: This is a replacement/reduction levy. It will replace the existing operating levy that homeowners currently pay which was passed in 2016.

The millage of the November 2025 operating levy is less than the prior 2016 operating levy.

Q: How is the Anderson Park District funded?

A: Park districts in Ohio typically receive funding from property taxes (levies), facility rentals, grants, donations, and program fees. Levies make up by far the largest and most stable part of the budget.  The APD could not exist without an operating levy.

Q: What does the Ohio Auditor say about the Anderson Park District’s financial practices?

A: The Anderson Park District recently completed a comprehensive audit of its financial records covering January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023.

Following this review, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber presented the Park District with the Outstanding Achievement Open and Transparent Government Award. This recognition is part of the Sunshine Law Star Rating System (StaRS), which highlights public offices that demonstrate a strong commitment to open, transparent, and accountable governance.

Q: How can I help?

A: This is a grassroots campaign that relies on the passion and support of everyone who cares about the Anderson Park District. Whether you’re a friend, neighbor, or longtime fan of our parks, your involvement makes a difference.

Please fill out the [form/link] to share how you’d like to contribute your time, talents, or resources to help ensure this important levy passes.

Q: Can I get a “Preserve Our Parks (Vote Yes)” sign for my yard?

A: Yes!  Please fill out the [form/link] and we will place a sign in your yard this fall!

Q: Didn’t we just pass a capital levy for the parks? Why more taxes?

A: In November 2023, Anderson Township residents approved a capital levy to improve our parks. Some examples of these capital improvements that have been completed are walking paths, All-Weather fields, pickleball courts and parking upgrades.  More information on these and future improvements can be seen on the park’s website, www.andersonparks.com.  

Capital levies are used to make capital, permanent improvements while operating levies are used to operate the parks on a day-to-day basis. The levy in November 2025 is a replacement/reduction operating levy to replace the last operating levy that residents passed for the parks in 2016.

Q: How can I find the tax valuation of my home?

A: You can look up the current tax valuation of your property on the Hamilton County Auditor’s website (link). Keep in mind that this assessed value is often substantially lower than the actual market value of your home.