COSI asks for levy on the November ballot

The request is for a five-year, one-sixth (.16) mill property tax levy. This is the same levy COSI has sought in the past two general elections. COSI's request will be reviewed by the Lucas County Citizens Levy Review Committee in the near future. The committee has scheduled a meeting for August 6, 2008. It will then make a recommendation to Lucas County commissioners on whether or not to approve the issue to the ballot. The commissioners must approve or reject levy requests by August 21.

Council voted 9-3 in favor of a request from the Finkbeiner administration to approve an amended lease between the city and the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, which contracted with COSI to be located in the city-owned riverfront building. Councilman George Sarantou said he supported the measure because the city is responsible for about $6,900 a month to pay for utilities and a security system in the building regardless of COSI's troubles. Councilmen Frank Szollosi, Tom Waniewski, and D. Michael Collins voted no.