Voters Approve Tax Levy for Akron Zoo

Ideastream Public Media | By Jay Shah

Published November 4, 2020 at 1:52 AM EST

Summit County voters approved Issue 47, a tax levy for the Akron Zoo. It passed with more than 58% support.

The levy renews a .8 mill tax and adds an additional .4 mills to support the zoo over the next 10 years.

President and CEO Doug Piekarz says the zoo will honor this support with a vibrant, welcoming zoo and increased educational opportunities, expanded habitats and exceptional care for the animals that visitors know and love.

"We are so humbled to receive the support of the community with the passage of Issue 47," Piekarz said in a statement released Tuesday night.

The funds raised by the levy provide more than half of the zoo's operating dollars.

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Jay Shah

Jay Shah is an aspiring broadcast journalist pursuing a Master of Arts in media and journalism at Kent State University. Jay’s student media career began as an undergraduate student at Old Westbury Web Radio (OWWR) of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury. She is passionate about raising community awareness on social justice, and environmental issues as well as local music and art. Her spare time involves attending local music showcases, experimenting with weird food combinations and painting. Jay wishes to use her journalistic abilities for providing a voice to the voiceless.

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