Up to 10 Warren County parks could close, and staffing and maintenance would be cut, if voters reject a proposed 0.7-mill property tax levy on the Tuesday, November 3 ballot.
The levy would cost homeowners $25 per year per $100,000 of home value over a six-year term.
Park District Executive Director Matt Latham delivered that warning to Warren County Commissioners Tom Grossmann, Shannon Jones and David G. Young during the board's Tuesday regular session in Lebanon. Without the levy, the district's reserves are projected to be exhausted by the end of 2028, according to the presentation.
The levy would fund operations, maintenance, and enhancement across the district's 1,716 acres and 12 parks, including the flagship Landen-Deerfield Park. Latham's presentation noted the district receives less funding than comparable Ohio park districts but did not provide specific comparative figures.
Study backs the investment case
Latham pointed commissioners to an Outdoor Recreation Economic Study conducted by the Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati, first presented to the board on Tuesday, March 17. That study found outdoor recreation generates $96.4 million in annual economic output for Warren County, supports 1,153 jobs, and produces $38.4 million in wages across 12,475 acres and 124 miles of trails.
"The return on investment is approximately $4.6 per $1 invested," Latham told commissioners at the March 17 work session, citing the study's finding that $20.9 million in capital and operations investment yields $96.4 million in total economic benefit. Deerfield Township and the City of Mason were among the study's funding partners.
Airport reports rapid growth
Warren County Airport President Jack DeBrunner also presented to commissioners on July 21, calling the facility Ohio's fastest-growing general aviation airport. The airport supports 40 aerospace and aviation businesses, houses more than 150 based aircraft, and generates an estimated $18 million to $27 million in annual economic impact for the county, based on inflation adjustments from a prior state study.
A 20-year master plan presented in October 2024 projects operations growing from 36,000 to 54,000 annually. The airport has purchased 12 acres on its west side using FAA funding and is seeking county support for rezoning, taxiway widening and infrastructure to develop the parcel for hangar construction.
What's next
The Park District board was scheduled to vote on placing the levy on the November 3 ballot. The result was not available at publication time. Commissioners' meetings are livestreamed on the Warren County Board of Commissioners YouTube channel. Residents can reach the commissioners at (513) 695-1250.
