By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Trustee Jose Alvarez announced Thursday he will vote against placing a parks and recreation levy on the fall ballot because he's not convinced it's necessary.

He disputes findings from a park citizens committee that says most residents recently surveyed would support a park levy if park improvements can take place over the next five years. More people, he pointed out, complained about issues such as increased government spending.

"The people are going to be taxed enough in the upcoming years," said Alvarez. "I and many people in the township are very much concerned about the continued costs and taxes. Just because people want it sooner, faster and more, it doesn't mean it's the right thing to do."

The proposed 1.95-mill continuing levy would help finance $80 million in park and recreation improvements. If passed, the levy would generate $2.5 to $3 million a year and cost the owner of a $200,000 home $119.44 more annually in taxes.

Despite Alvarez's no vote, however, the levy likely will go on the ballot. The other two trustees, Catherine Stoker and David Tacosik, are expected to support the measure when it is voted on at the July 8 township meeting.

The Butler County Board of Elections deadline for putting the issue on the November ballot is Aug. 21.

It is crucial to pass a levy now, Stoker and Tacosik say, to generate money for parks as West Chester's green space continues to evaporate amid a housing and business boom. Many of the township's existing farms already have been sold for subdivisions, Stoker noted.

Three residents who served on the park committee told trustees this week they believe most families would support the levy.

Many families are impatient for more ball and soccer fields, skateboard parks and hiking and biking trails.

"It's all a timing issue," committee member Scott Owens said. "There are people in favor of it but that's on the condition that certain improvements are done in a set time period."

But longtime resident Allen Baxter urged against the levy, saying township leaders should tell those eager for park improvements to wait until the township has funding for them.

"Here we go again. Everything is excessive," Baxter said. "They should set the money aside for parks and force the residents to be patient and say they'll do it as money becomes available.

"The amount of homes we have here is unbelievable. We have rows and rows of nice homes and I can't believe the property taxes cannot support our government without levies."

E-mail: jedwards@enquirer.com