We grew up enjoying visits to Cincinnati Zoo and later loved taking kids there. I’ll bet many of you feel the same – a trip to the zoo always is a very special day.
The taxpayers of Hamilton County have been supporting a tax levy that helps with some of the operating costs of the zoo since 1982. The zoo levy costs a homeowner 84 cents per month for a $100,000 property value. However, the income the zoo receives from this levy has declined 10 percent over the past decade. Yet the costs of caring for animals and maintenance of the zoo's facilities have increased 54 percent over the same period.
As a result, the zoo is asking the Hamilton County commissioners to allow the voters to decide whether they are willing to provide a small inflationary increase help support the zoo’s operations and building maintenance. If the voters approve the increase the zoo is requesting, property taxes will increase by 30 cents a month.
Our community is a vibrant and wonderful place to live – in part because our world-class zoo is affordable for everybody. To make sure everyone can visit the zoo, there are many ways families can take advantage of discounts on admissions. Hundreds of school trips to the zoo give all children the chance to experience all our zoo offers.
A small investment in the zoo benefits everyone. We are grateful for the broad support of the community. The zoo is one of the few places that is welcoming to people from all walks of life.
The zoo has been recognized for its efficient operations and its leading role in contributing back to the community through its return to the region of more than $150 million dollars.
We encourage you to learn more about the zoo’s request for a modest tax increase by visiting the zoo’s website. Let’s help to keep our Zoo the awesome place it is for all families! If you want to help, please email or call all three Hamilton County commissioners and encourage them to put the zoo levy on the ballot with a 10-year inflationary increase.
Lynn Marmer is a member of the executive committee of the Cincinnati Zoo Board of Trustees. Dr. O’Dell Owens is a member of the Science & Conservation Committee at the Cincinnati Zoo.