COLUMBUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Resolution
To Support Local Issue 6, Columbus Zoo Levy-Continual and Additional Funding
WHEREAS,
The Columbus Zoological Park Association is a nonprofit organization that conducts
breeding of endangered and threatened species, provides conservation education
programs to the community, supports global conservation programs and offers affordable
family recreation opportunities, and
WHEREAS,
By contract with the City of Columbus, the Association has agreed to undertake the
operation, management, and development of the Columbus Zoo. This contract is
effective through December 31, 2037 unless canceled by either the City or the
Association prior to that time. The activities of the Association are administered by its
Board of Trustees and directed by an Executive Committee of the Board. The purpose of
Appointed Board is to oversee the public funds from the levy, and
WHEREAS,
The Columbus Zoo has been receiving levy support from the residents of Franklin County
since 1985, and
WHEREAS,
The last zoo levy of .75 mill that began in 2006 is set to expire in 2015. A permanent 1.25
mill levy will go before voters on May 6, 2014, and
WHEREAS,
Since passage of the last levy, the Columbus Zoo has reduced the amount of expenses
for operations from 20% to below 15%, and
WHEREAS,
The Columbus Zoo has become nationally and internationally recognized as one of the
best zoos in America and the world, and
WHEREAS,
An independent economic analysis has identified that the Columbus Zoo annually has a
$238 million economic impact on central Ohio, with over 2 million visitors annually, and
WHEREAS,
The additional levy dollars will help fund Zoo operations, Downtown Adventure operations
and debt service for the Downtown Adventure and the balance of funding would support
the Zoo’s capital needs, and
WHEREAS,
A continual levy provides the Zoo the opportunity to plan for the future instead of on a
project-by-project basis and to secure funding in a financially sound manner;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
That upon the recommendation of the Government Affairs Steering Committee, the
Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorses Local Issue 6, the
proposed 1.25 mill Columbus Zoo continual levy on the May 6, 2014 ballot.
Adopted by the board of directors of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce on April 3, 2014