Campbell law director raises questions about Mill Creek fund use

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

CAMPBELL

City Law Director Brian Macala is voicing concerns over tax dollars paid by Campbell residents to the Mill Creek MetroParks District.

Macala, who stated he was speaking as a resident rather than in his official capacity, addressed city council during the public comments section of Wednesday night’s regular meeting.

He referred specifically to recent Vindicator reporting on the dismissal of park employees.

A metroparks “internal reorganization” plan involves letting 15 employees go, Executive Director Aaron Young told The Vindicator last week. Eight of those employees were dismissed last Friday.

Macala also referenced a quote from a metroparks new release which stated the dismissals will save the park district $13 million over 15 years, thereby reducing a projected $15 million capital improvement shortfall over those 15 years.

“I guess my question is, which I hope city officials will be looking into is: where’s this money going?” Macala said. “Now, all of the sudden, our tax dollars are going to fund a park district that is running into deficit and discharging employees with 30-plus years of experience.”

Mahoning County residents voted in 1989 to establish a metropolitan park district to fund and maintain Mill Creek MetroParks.

Macala said Wednesday that a majority of Campbell residents voted against the measure.

The Vindicator was not immediately able to confirm those voting records.

The MetroParks spans 4,400 acres, including the 3,300 within Mill Creek Park. The park district has sites in other municipalities, including Struthers, Austintown and Canfield.

Macala referred to Mill Creek Park as a “true jewel,” but said Campbell residents “receive no direct benefit” from real estate tax dollars paid to the park district because that money does not support Roosevelt or Jackson Street parks in Campbell city limits.

A 0.25-mill park district levy passed by voters last November is projected to raise $15 million of the $30 million that Mill Creek MetroParks plans to spend on capital improvements over the next 15 years. The park also bankrolls capital improvements through private donations.