NEW LEBANON — Dave Nolin, director of conservation for Five Rivers MetroParks, told the New Lebanon council on Sept. 1 the agency’s upcoming replacement levy is critical.

MetroParks will have a 1.8 mill replacement levy on the November ballot to replace a levy that expires at the end of 2010. “That supplies really over 80 percent of our budget,” Nolin said.

While MetroParks also gets federal and state grants, that money goes more towards land acquisition and large projects.

Nolin said the property tax supports programming, land protection, educational programs and recreational features at the parks, which includes nearly 15,000 acres. Admission to the parks and most programs are free.

Because property valuations have increased since the 2000 levy, the owner of a $100,000 home can expect to pay about a dollar more per month if the replacement levy is approved.

“What we’d like to do when the levy is replaced is mostly maintain what we have,” he said.

“We’re mostly going to take care of what we have.”

Nolin said the Germantown MetroPark is “our biggest and wildest MetroPark. It is as close to wilderness as you’ll find around here,” Nolin said. “It’s like a time machine back to the pioneer days.”

New Lebanon Councilman Chris Landis is on staff there.

Mayor Craig Roberts asked about the campaign. Nolin said the agency will use the Internet more than in the past, talk to other municipalities and groups and use radio and TV.

“There’s a lot of volunteers going to be walking precincts, handing out literature, making phone calls,” Nolin said.

MetroParks is seeking volunteers to help with the levy campaign, too. Visit www.metroparks.org or call (937) 275-PARK.