West Liberty Village Council has until about mid-December to decide whether to pursue a village parks levy on the March ballot to fund ongoing maintenance and future improvements at each of its public parks.
The idea has warranted consideration from both the council, and West Liberty Ball Association as the groups continue to work together in an attempt to fund lighting for each of the three ball fields at Dodge Park.
A five-year levy, somewhere around 1.15 mills would generate approximately $39,000 per year to fund village park initiatives, including installation of lights at Dodge Park, according to discussion Tuesday in a joint meeting between council and the ball association at Green Hill Community Center.
Such a levy would cost an owner of a $100,000 property about an extra $39 per year, according to estimates circulated Tuesday.
Other projects that could be funded through a parks levy include repairs to the walking path, tree removal as needed, improvements to the trail head along the Simon Kenton bike path and other general maintenance.
The ball association wants to install lights at each of the three ball diamonds at Dodge Park. Total cost for that project would be around $430,000. Members of the ball association have told the council that they could secure donated labor and equipment for the project, which would lower the overall cost to about $220,000.
Other funding mechanisms being considered for the lighting improvements include grants, loans and/or the selling of bonds.