On Dec. 11, 2003, Franklin County commissioners agreed to place on the March, 2 primary ballot a levy that would make COSI free for all residents of Franklin County. If passed, the levy would give COSI $12.4 million a year for five years to cover the cost of a property tax that will cost the average owner of $100,000 home about $15 a year.
Free admission to COSI is a boon to all Franklin County residents. Currently, tickets for COSI cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $7 for children. Obviously, paying $15 a year on a $100,000 house to get into COSI free for the whole year is a great value.
A Columbus Dispatch editorial noted the fact most evaluations of COSI stated that because admission was so expensive, families frequently could only afford to go once a year.
Students at Franklin County schools, especially those in less affluent school districts, would also greatly benefit from not having to negotiate group rates to gain entrance to COSI. Teachers would be able to utilize the scientific resources COSI offers more regularly.
Of course, there’s no guarantee voters will agree to pass the levy. It is another tax, and even if attendance is free, not everyone in Franklin County is going to use COSI. Not everyone is going want to pay money for something they may not use.
Another potential problem is COSI also has visitors from outside Franklin County. This problem can easily be averted by diverting some of the funding COSI receives from the Greater Columbus Arts Council to help reduce the price of tickets for residents outside of Franklin County.
In addition, COSI should look into finding a way of lowering the cost or making admission free for college students in Franklin County. If the property tax passes, and $12.4 million comes into COSI’s scoffers, this should free up some money that could be used to make COSI another laboratory tool for Ohio State students.
