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Renew the Zoo. Vote FOR Issue 19! It Won’t Raise Taxes
Every five years our zoo returns to the voters of Hamilton County to approve a renewal of an existing levy that has developed our Cincinnati Zoo into the world-class institution, accessible to everyone, that it is today. That means property taxes will not increase with your support for the zoo levy renewal. Vote to Renew the Zoo!
The Zoo Is a Responsible Steward of Taxpayers’ Dollars
Our zoo’s mission is to conserve nature and in carrying out that mission the zoo strives to conserve the financial resources that are so generously given by the taxpayers to the zoo. Over the past ten years we have reduced our energy consumption by 25% and saved over 1 billion gallons of water. Our zoo has not had a levy increase in 15 years and constitutes 17% of our total operating budget.
The Zoo Is an Economic Engine for Hamilton County
Our zoo has a significant economic impact to Hamilton County and the region. According to a 2023 University of Cincinnati Economic Impact Study:
From FY2020-2023…
- Economic Impact of $678.9 million ($169.7 million each year)!
- Supported the total employment of 8,766 individuals.
- Supported a total $295.6 million in wages being paid.
- Every $1 of levy funding brings 24x that back to Hamilton County!
What The Levy Is Used For
Levy funds can only be used for the care, feeding, and maintenance of the zoo’s animals and botanical gardens. The levy keeps admission prices low and affordable for the zoo’s 1.7 million annual visitors, provides high quality care for the animals and maintains over 80 aging buildings. The cost to the taxpayers of Hamilton County is only75 cents per month for property valued at $100,000.
Thank You, Hamilton County!
Our zoo’s biggest and strongest partner for the past 40 years has been the citizens of Hamilton County. Thank you for keeping our zoo world-class and an important community asset. We ask for your support by voting to Renew the Zoo this November. It won’t raise taxes, but it will keep our zoo awesome!