By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - A special infrastructure fund may be used by township trustees for park development in the wake of the November park levy failure.

Trustees on Wednesday told the township staff to look at using tax increment financing revenues, which totaled about $5 million last year, as matching state grant funds to acquire about 200 acres along the old Miami-Erie Canal.

The project is part of a 700-acre Miami corridor bike path/recreation area stretching from Ohio 747 in Port Union west to Butler County MetroParks' Gilmore Ponds Preserve in Fairfield.

"It's a significant benefit to the whole township," said Trustees President Catherine Stoker.

Township park officials are trying to use land donated by adjacent businesses and the Butler County Transportation District as part of the township's matching funds for a Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant. The township's obligation could range from $168,300 to $1,039,699, says Dave Gully, township administrator.

Before making a decision, Trustee Jose Alvarez said he wanted a report on road improvements and other projects to be built with tax increment financing revenues - payments made by businesses in special districts in lieu of taxes to fund infrastructure improvements. Those funds also may be used to build a $30 million community and recreation center in Union Centre.

Funding parks has become a big concern for trustees after voters rejected a 1.95-mill levythat would have generated $60 million over five years. Gully said he doesn't expect the township to try another park levy "in the next three to five years."

The park system has grown - in accordance with the township's master plan adopted in 1992 - from 300 acres to 1,000 acres in five years, said Chris Bell, park development manager.

Without the parks' matching grant funds, the township's discretionary expenses still exceed revenues by $485,000 this year.

So trustees told Gully on Wednesday to look for budget cuts by reducing contributions to organizations, avoiding overtime and trimming expenses or raising fees for festivals and events.

"The financial condition of the township is very good. We just can't do everything we want to do at once," Gully said.

Trustees scheduled another budget meeting for Feb. 4. The budget must be approved by April.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer .com