Deal reduces tax burden

HURON TWP. — A decision made by several Erie County officials reduced the amount of taxes locals will pay, going forward, to an area park district. All parties stressed, however, that it won't impact programming or staffing levels. Not too long ago, Erie County's budget commission — which consists of county prosecutor Kevin Baxter, county auditor Rick Jeffrey and county treasurer Caleb Stidham — worked with Erie MetroParks commissioners and administrators on lowering the tax bill. Effectively, it decreases how much county residents contribute toward the area's flagship park district. As a note, the budget commission is a separate entity from the county commission. Q: Why did this happen? A: Those representing the Erie County budget commission along with Erie MetroParks officials released this joint statement: As joint stewards of Erie County taxpayers' entrusted public funds, the Erie County budget commission and the Erie MetroParks have entered into a joint agreement to attempt to alleviate some of the financial burdens of Erie County residents. The Erie MetroParks park commissioners and the three-member panel of the Erie County budget commission, all of whom are residents of Erie County, are well aware of the rapid increase in real estate taxes and other costs of living associated with inflation, unemployment and other factors related to the economy, which Erie County residents are currently facing. The park commissioners have decided to be a part of the solution and, through its park commissioners, the Erie MetroParks have entered into an agreement with the Erie County budget commission to receive a total of approximiately 23% in levy funds, collected through taxpayer real estate taxes, in 2026 than otherwise allowed for by the current levies. The parks commissioners and members of the Erie County budget commission hope in the future to continue to work together for the benefit of Erie County taxpayers on these very important matters. Q: Does this affect Erie MetroParks? A: Funding coming into Erie MetroParks largely pays for staffing to carry out programs — most of the time free for community members — which shouldn't be impacted one bit by this change, park district executive director Melissa Price said. "Our programming levels will remain the same in 2026," Price said. "Our programming staff provided almost 500 public/requested programming for schools and had a face-to-face reach of 27,000 attendees. That was an increase of almost 5,000 participants from the prior year, 2024." Q: How does this impact homeowners? A: Based on the 2025 rate: • The owner of a $100,000 home contributed $24.96 a year to Erie MetroParks. All told, the two levies Erie MetroParks relies upon for funding operations brought in about $2.5 million in 2025. • Based on the 2026 rate, that same homeowner will now contribute $19.27 a year to Erie MetroParks. All told, the two levies Erie MetroParks relies upon for funding operations should bring in about $2 million in 2026 and each year going forward.