[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.
[1]
Cross Reference — Taxation generally, ch. 145.
[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.