By Kiera Morgan

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has been approached by residents of the Greater Toledo Area, who are interested in forming a recreation district to maintain, improve and operate the Toledo  swimming pool and related facilities. A petition has been presented to the Board of Commissioners outlining the intended purposes of the District, describing the proposed boundaries of the District. They are also requesting that the District Board consist of five members elected at large, and proposing a permanent rate levy of .77 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

The boundaries of the proposed District generally coincide with the existing boundaries of the City of Toledo and the Toledo Rural Fire Protection District, with some variations. The petition also included an Economic Feasibility Statement describing the services and functions of the proposed District, the estimated funds to be raised if a permanent rate levy is authorized by the District electors, and a 10 year budget estimating revenues and expenses. The City can only be included within the proposed District boundaries if the Toledo City council adopts a resolution approving of the order to initiate formation. The Toledo City Council will be considering this matter at their meeting January 4th.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners are scheduled to conduct a hearing regarding the formation of the proposed Greater Toledo Pool Recreation District on January 25th however if the city fails to adopt the required resolution, a supplemental Board Order will be adopted which terminates the formation process and cancels the hearing. The council has voted that unless a plan is approved they will be setting a date to permanently close the pool and recreation center.