02-18-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Washington Township Board of Trustees met in a Special Meeting on February 18, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. at the Washington Township Government Center, 8200 McEwen Road. President Young led the Pledge of Allegiance. MINUTES OF PRECEEDING MEETINGS There were no minutes presented at this time. The approval of the minutes will be carried over to the next meeting. CLERK'S BUSINESS Recreation Levies The purpose of the special meeting is to consider authorizing a 1.5 mill levy for the Recreation Center to improve what is commonly known as the Centerville Cinemas, to make an addition to the Recreation Center of approximately 6,000 square feet, and to continue operations of the Recreation Center for the next five years. The current .7 mill levy expires at the end of this year. To put a levy on the ballot for the May 6th election, it is necessary for the Trustees to pass a Home Rule Resolution and send it to the Board of Elections by Thursday, February 20th. A copy of the Certificate of Estimated Property Tax Revenue was submitted to the Trustees as is required by law. This form indicates what a 1.5 mill levy will generate per year. Mr. Surdyk, Washington Township's law director, has recommended that the Trustees adopt a Home Rule Resolution. Mr. Blair expressed his concern that he had received two calls from elderly taxpayers who stated that they had just gotten their tax bills and were on fixed incomes. They have watched their taxes increase 20 percent or more over the years and wondered whether it is a prudent thing to increase taxes at this time. Mr. Blair responded to them that the best way to handle this situation was to let the voters decide. These calls led Mr. Blair to question that maybe two levies would be better than one. Mrs. Young indicated that it was the recommendation of the Recreation Advisory Board to have one levy for both the improvements and operations. Mr. Snyder indicated that he, too, preferred to have just the one levy. After further discussion, the Trustees agreed that one levy was preferred over two. Mrs. Young then expressed her concern that any delay in the renovation of the Centerville Cinemas would result in a higher cost for construction. It seems prudent, from that perspective, to go ahead as soon as possible with the improvement and renovation of the Centerville Cinemas into a usable building that will benefit all Washington Township residents. HOME RULE RESOLUTION: Summary of Resolution to Replace in its Entirety .7 Mills of an Existing Levy and to Increase the Rate at Which it is Levied by .8 Mills for Proposed Rate of 1.5 Mills for Each Dollar of Valuation Which Replacement Levy Shall be for Recreational Purposes and Declaring an Emergency President Young asked for a motion to read the Resolution by title only. It was moved by Mr. Blair, seconded by Mr. Snyder, to read the resolution by title only. 2/18/03