Article III - Taxes and Green Space.
Six natural areas are preserved and protected by the Put-in-Bay Township Park District:the Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve, Jane Coates Wildflower Trail Addition, the Middle Bass Island East Point Preserve, the Costello Tract Preserve, the Schneider Tract, and Jane Coates Wildflower Trail -Addition II.
Scientists, naturalists, environmentalists, ecologists believe there is intrinsic value in protecting and preserving natural areas. (See Article I)
Others believe differently!At Put-in-Bay some feel that the protection of natural areas is coming at too great a cost.
The Park District is a tax exempt government entity.The Park District does not pay property taxes. This is a problem for some people.
A real estate tax myth:“The more businesses and houses we have the better we will be.”
There is a flip side to this.The more businesses, the more houses, the more people, the more services required:police, water, sewer, EMS, fire, etc.
Numerous studies have shown, “the revenues generated by property tax are outweighed by the high costs of providing services….”
Middle Bass Island is a classic example.As the Island develops, the people demand – and rightly so -- more services – more police protection, more emergency medical services, more fire protection.Eventually, government operated water and sewer services for Middle Bass Island will be mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Natural areas, green space, have insignificant impact on the demand for government services.
One entity concerned about the loss of property tax is the Township.
Put-in-Bay Township is not losing revenue!
Since the Park District was established, the amount of tax revenue that Put-in-Bay Township receives has actually increased!
Real estate taxes in Put-in-Bay Township on South Bass Island are collected by Ottawa County for four governments:Put-in-Bay School, the Township, the Port Authority, and Ottawa County.
Loss of Revenue?
From State of Ohio Audits 2007 to 2014 of Put-in-Bay Township reflects an increase of 33% in “Cash Receipts – Property and Other Local Taxes.”(Auditor of State of Ohio Web Site) (Remember the Park District was formed in 2006.)
Put-in-Bay Township is not losing revenue!
Preserved and protected Park District areas are not causing property taxes to go up!
Basically, property taxes may increase for three reasons:1. Re-evaluation by Ottawa County every three years, 2. Newly voted tax levies and 3. Increase in the value of your property with a new porch, new garage, etc.
In fact on South Bass Island, the collected millage has gone down!It you look at your Real Property Tax Bill, just above TAX VALUES, you will see Gross Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate -- The tax rate has gone down and gone down considerably compared to previous property tax bills!
There is another source of government income on the Island that is tourist based.
The Gross Receipts Tax for the Island was passed by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio.This tax collects 1.5% of the gross revenue of businesses.For years, the major source of revenue to operate the Village was from dockage charges at the Public Marina.Today the gross receipts tax is the major source of income for the Village of Put-in-Bay.The more people visiting the Island, the more income businesses receive and thus more gross receipts revenue is received by the Village and the Township.It is visitors to the Island who are generating revenue.
It is also interesting to note that the fastest growing section of the tourist industry is eco-tourism.These people are visiting natural sites, these people are hiking, biking, bird watching.And another interesting note:The busiest week in Ottawa County is the “Biggest Week in American Birding!”
Put-in-Bay Township Park District’s protection of sensitive natural areas is NOT CAUSING property taxes to go up!
It is the hope of many individuals who support Put-in-Bay Township Park District and the protection of natural areas that this preservation is for the greater good.These green spaces will enhance the Island and will provide a better quality of life for residents and visitors to this “Island of Life.”-- a better quality of life not only for this generation but also for future generations.