SYLVANIA, Ohio -
The losses are pretty significant for two shows at Centennial Terrace. The Counting Crows show on June 16th lost over $25,000. The Bret Michaels concert on July 5th lost just over $20,000. The I-Team wanted to know where this puts the group that over sees these concerts in Sylvania. It's called the Sylvania area joint recreation district.
The district has many levels, one of which is a non profit that runs the day to day operations. So why is it split that way?
"More efficient, possibly, way of operating; sort of a public private partnership. Being that there are no government employees involved in this whole thing you are dealing with fewer issues; ie possible labor union issues," said Ken Katafias, the operations manager of the recreation district.
The not-for-profit brings in about $3.3 million per year, spending about $1.3 million on salaries, which include benefits. But that's not all tax payer money, much of it comes from users of the facilities in Sylvania. Officials with the recreation district say tax payers chip in about $1 million every year.
"With us, we're putting it on the backs on the users already. 80%-79% of the dollars generated are put on the backs of the people actually using the facilities and participating in the programs," said Katafias.
As another wrinkle, Tam-0-Shanter gets no operating tax dollars. Its income was projected at $2.3 million in 2011.
13abc I-Team Reporter Shaun Hegarty asked: "It seems like an awfully complicated formula. It strikes me as complicated. Does it strike anyone else as complicated?" Katafias responded: "It may be but it certainly works. It works pretty effectively."
But with lower property values and costs rising, the recreation district will go to voters ask for more money It's about $12 per year on a $100,000 dollar home. So with an income for the recreation corporation and Tam-o-Shanter coming in at $5.6 million, why more?
"We want to make sure we're providing adequate facilities where our youth can show their skills on the field. All these things are rolled into where the costs just keep going up," said SAJRD board president John Pristash.
"If you were to check with other recreation service providers you'd be hard pressed to find anybody that will tell you that 21% of their income comes from tax dollars," said Katafias.
They also tout the district as an economic booster. Two soccer tournaments, one in May and one in June brought in 560 teams to the region. Some of which needed to stay overnight and use area restaurants.
Click here to see part one of SAJRD financial documents.
Click here to see part two of SAJRD financial documents.
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