[R.O. 2012 §155.010; CC 1973 §25-1; Ord. No. 6118 §I, 9-15-1969]
Whenever the City desires to establish a park or pleasure grounds,
the City Council is authorized and empowered to acquire property for
such purposes by gift, purchase or condemnation of lands in the City
or within one (1) mile thereof, and for that purpose may borrow money
and issue bonds in payment thereof, and shall by ordinance describe
the metes and bounds of such lands to be purchased or condemned. Lands
owned by the City may by ordinance be converted, set aside or appropriated
for parks or pleasure grounds.
[R.O. 2012 §155.020; CC 1973 §25-2; Ord. No. 6118 §II, 9-15-1969]
The City Council, in proceedings by ordinance to purchase or
condemn lands for the park or pleasure ground purposes, shall proceed
in the manner provided by law, for the condemnation of lands for the
establishment of streets, avenues, alleys or market places, or public
squares; and on such condemnation and the payment of appraisement
as therein provided, the title of such land shall vest in such City
for the uses and purposes for which it was taken.
[R.O. 2012 §155.030]
A.
The
City may levy an annual tax not to exceed two (2) mills on the dollar
for the maintenance of such parks or pleasure grounds, and such tax
shall be levied and collected in like manner with other general taxes
of the City, but the funds received therefrom shall be kept separate
and apart from all other funds of the City and shall be deposited
in the Park Fund.
B.
Taxes
levied and collected in accordance with the provisions of this Section
shall not be included in calculating any amount of taxes which may
be levied and collected for general municipal purposes.
[R.O. 2012 §155.040]
A.
When
one hundred (100) voters of this City shall petition the Mayor and
Council asking that an annual tax be levied for the establishment
and maintenance of free public parks in this City, and providing for
suitable entertainment therein, and shall specify in their petition
a rate of taxation as provided in this Section not to exceed forty
cents ($.40) per year on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of assessed
valuation, the Mayor and Council shall submit the question to the
voters.
B.
The
question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:
"Shall a . cent tax per one hundred dollars assessed valuation
be levied for public parks?"
C.
The tax specified in the notice shall be levied and collected in the same manner as other general taxes of the City and shall be deposited in the "Park Fund". The rate of taxation authorized by this Section shall be combined with any rate of tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 150.030 so that the total tax for park purposes shall not exceed forty cents ($.40) per year on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of assessed valuation, and any tax authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall cease in case the voters of this City shall so determine, by a majority vote after a petition for the submission is filed in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
[R.O. 2012 §155.050; CC 1973 §25-5; Ord. No. 6118 §IV, 9-15-1969]
In case of an increase in valuation in any year of the taxable
property within the City, or whenever the City Council is satisfied
that a lower rate will produce ample funds, it may reduce the levy
provided for parks and pleasure grounds by levying a tax for the maintenance
of said free public parks which in the judgement of the City Council
shall be sufficient for the maintenance of said free public parks
throughout the year.