WSAZ+ | Decision 2026: Gallia County’s O.O. McIntyre Park District Levy, explained

GALLIA COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) - Voters in Gallia County will see a brand new tax on the ballot this primary election, supporting the O.O. McIntyre Park District. The District provides outdoor activities and programming for kids and families in Gallia County like baseball and soccer leagues, as well as bike and walking trails.

The District’s director, Paul Covey, joined WSAZ+ and said the levy is needed to make improvements to the park’s facilities and equipment.

“We just now finished a restroom with running water out there,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had running water at the park district. So that was very exciting. However, it costs roughly a quarter of a million dollars to do one, and we have six other ones that need done. And without the additional funding, there’s no way that we’re going to be able to make that happen.”

In addition to the restrooms, Covey says the park needs new lawnmowers and to resurface the bike trail.

“We also want to build a sports complex out there at the park to where we actually have lighted baseball fields, and we can have night tournaments and something cool for the kids to do,” he continued. “I mean, Gallia County is the only county around without a lighted baseball field in it. And I think it’s time that we have one. Or two or three.”

If passed, the levy would be a new, 1 mill tax for Gallia County property owners. To calculate how much your residential home would pay if this levy passes, follow this formula. Some factors, such as the senior homestead exemption, may alter the result:

Appraised property value × 0.35 ÷ 1,000

Covey said the improvements are part of the park’s duty to get kids outside, and off their phones.

“It allows the kids to come out and participate in sports such as soccer, baseball, and it gives them something to do,” he told WSAZ. “And when they can interact with each other and not be on their phones texting and communicating that way, they actually have to communicate face to face.”

Covey told WSAZ he has not looked into other funding sources for the improvement projects. He said if the levy doesn’t pass, they would have to do without, saying “we just don’t have the funding to make it happen.”