The funds to construct and operate the Fieldhouse will be raised via two separate tax levies, each with their own separate purpose and limitations. In order to build and maintain the facility, both levies must pass. If only the bond levy passes, we can build the facility but will have no money to operate it. If only the operating levy passes, there will be no money to purchase the land and construct the building in which the services will be operating.
How much will it cost me?
For a home with an auditor appraised value of $100,000, the Fieldhouse levies will add $8.49 per month to their property taxes. When you break it down, it will cost $6.48/month to build, and only $2.01/month to operate. You can find a more specific assessment at the Franklin County Auditor’s website with the levy estimator tool here.
No membership required
There will be no membership required to use the Fieldhouse & Community Center. New Albany Parks and Recreation is committed to providing times in the facility at no cost for residents for drop-in usage of the turf fields and multipurpose courts. Additionally, residents will be allowed to walk the track for free. Meeting spaces will have rates for various reservation uses, but will be free for senior community members to gather. Instructional and educational programs, leagues, rentals, camps, and special events will have fees attached.
Residency status is qualified by living within the New Albany Plan Local Joint Parks District, which are the same boundaries as the New Albany Plan Local Schools. Non-residents will be permitted to use the facility at a premium rate. Rate structures and registration periods will prioritize resident usage of the Fieldhouse.
Why are there going to be two issues on the ballot?
One issue is a bond levy that will loan the joint park district the funds to purchase the land on which the fieldhouse will be constructed and cover the cost of construction.
The second issue is an operating levy, which will provide the funding to run the facility once construction is complete and the fieldhouse is open to the public. This will cover costs like equipment, employee wages, utility costs, and maintenance.
These are both property tax levies, so the amount is based on your auditor appraised home value, not your income.
You can check your annual cost associated with proposed levies on the Franklin County Auditor’s website here: https://audr-apps.franklincountyohio.gov/LevyEstimator
While issue numbers will not be assigned until the end of August, this is exactly how each levy will appear on your ballot this fall:
Bond levy:
Operating levy:
What about the current levy?
The New Albany Plain Local Joint Park District is currently funded by a property tax operating levy which costs approximately the same as the newly proposed operating levy described above. The new operating levy is the same millage and therefore cost to the taxpayer as the current bond levy (which expires in 2024) that was used to build Bevelhymer Park, Thompson Park, and Wexner Community Park. This means the only tax increase would be attributed to the bond levy used to purchase the land and construct the building. Time is of the essence to purchase the land and construct the building now instead of waiting due to climbing costs and increased interest from outsider property developers.