CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard is ready to ask Hamilton County taxpayers for more money.
Zoo officials confirm that Maynard was going to go before the Hamilton County Tax Levy Committee Monday evening. However, due to a medical emergency, he was not there, and financial leaders like Dave Jenike from the zoo presented to the committee instead. In his presentation, Maynard is expected to lay out the zoo's operating budget and what portion needs to be covered by taxpayers.
Historically, voters have supported the zoo tax levies and overwhelmingly approved a five-year levy in May 2018. That was a renewal levy that didn't increase taxes. In the existing levy, homeowners have been paying about $10 a year per $100,000 in home value. Back in 2018, Maynard said the levy only covers about 17% of the zoo's budget. Jenike presented to committee members asking for an "inflationary increase."
"The cost to care for and feed our animals has increased and the cost to stay on top of our aging infrastructure has continued to grow," said Dave Jenike, chief operating officer of the Cincinnati Zoo. "Deferring problems only leads to bigger problems down the road."
Under the proposed plan, the zoo levy would continue, but add on another $3 a year per $100,000 in home value. On Monday night, Jenike said the zoo levy keeps the zoo affordable, and also touted USA Today naming the zoo the best in the country. The Cincinnati Zoo is working on major projects throughout the grounds as part of its "More Room to Roam" campaign. The zoo raised $160 million during its campaign. Local philanthropists, Harry and Linda Fath, donated $50 million to the campaign. It was the largest donation in Zoo history.
"When our community needed us, we were there, when our community needed to be able to get outside to take their families somewhere safe," said Jenike, speaking about the challenging times during the pandemic.
However, one resident from Norwood spoke at the meeting and asked the committee to consider changing the prices of admission to give Hamilton County taxpayers a break.
"Everybody gets to enjoy for the same price as I do, and we wonder why everyone moves out to Warren, Butler and Kenton (counties) and all those, and the residents of Hamilton County, a lot of times, are the people that have a little bit harder time paying $20 for an adult to go to the zoo," George Schneider said. "Before we put this to the voters, I'd like for you guys to look at that or even if you raise the out-of-county people's rate, $4 a person that's going to generate a hell of a lot of money for 2/3 of your family passes are from out of the county? You guys got a lot more cash coming in there, baby."
The money is dedicated to a number of projects including Roo Valley, which is already open.
Other projects, some of which are still under construction, include an overhaul of the elephant exhibit, Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast.
County leaders said they will look at the zoo's plan and also have their consultant look at the financials. They're expected to have their recommendation by the end of June, but the deadline for the decision isn't until the first week of August. That's when residents will find out if Hamilton County voters will decide the future of the zoo's levy.
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