Ark Valley News - Possible vote on sales tax clears hurdle

Possible vote on sales tax clears hurdle
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: June 08, 2012

In a tie vote broken by the mayor, the Valley Center City Council moved forward this week with a plan to place a 1 percent sales tax question on the November ballot to help fund the expansion of recreation facilities in the city.

With Mayor Mike McNown's deciding vote, the council approved a resolution that says if the council can work out an agreement with the Valley Center school district to cooperate in funding the expansion, the council will place the sales tax vote on the ballot.

The Valley Center Recreation Commission has proposed a $6.7 million plan to build a rec center as well as baseball, softball and soccer fields at McKay Petrie Sports Complex in Valley Center. The rec commission has asked the council to allow the sales tax referendum. It also has asked the school district to support the project with a 1-mill property tax increase. The rec commission's financial adviser has said the annual payment on a $6.7 million bond issue would be about $480,000 for 20 years. He said the state estimates a 1 cent sales tax in Valley Center would generate $370,000 per year, and the school district property tax would bring in another $114,000.

During its meeting June 5, the city council expressed divergent views on the facility expansion.

“People have already said they don't want to pay for it with their taxes," said council member Harry Gerling, referring to city and rec commission surveys that suggest residents don't want their taxes to increase for the new facilities. “… I don't know why we would want to saddle our kids for 20 years with another tax."

Gerling and fellow council members Judith Leftoff, Kate Jackson and Al Hobson voted against the resolution. Jake Jackson, Lou Cicirello, Marci Maschino and Dan Smith voted for it.

Leftoff said no one she has talked to has supported the tax.

Hobson said businesses have expressed opposition.

“I haven't found anybody that wants this thing," Hobson said.

Cicirello said he is obligated to allow the public to vote on the issue. Cicirello said he had not made up his mind whether he supported the expansion plan, but he wants to allow the vote.

Smith said he was torn on the issue but decided that he “cannot see not giving (the public) the option" of voting.

Jake Jackson agreed, but went further.

“Any addition to this city is a plus," he said.

Maschino said she wouldn't give the sales tax question much chance of passing, but the decision should be in the public's hands.

In the end, McNown said the issue is not as clear-cut as some would suggest. However, he said establishing an agreement before the public vote would give the council some control over how the project proceeds, particularly with funding.

The rec commission has informally agreed to pay any costs associated with putting together an interlocal agreement forged with the city, school district and rec commission.

In other business June 5, the council:

•Agreed to let stand a plan that prohibits curbside parking on Meridian between Fifth and Sixth streets and limits parking on Meridian between Sixth and Seventh. After a public hearing before the meeting, the council essentially agreed with the engineer's plan, which would allow enough space to create a left-turn lane into the south entrance of the intermediate school near Sixth Street. The plan also would prohibit parking on Meridian between Sixth and Seventh from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meridian is undergoing reconstruction this summer.

•Accepted a gift of an automatic external defibrillator from Newton Medical Center. The device was donated as a way to honor Drs. Russell Horn and Stevie Winblad, who practice at the Medical Plaza of Valley Center.

•Agreed to appoint Matt Cox (four-year term), Ashley Royal (four-year term) and Chad Dove (filling an unexpired term until 2014) to the library board. The council also agreed to appoint Phil Tennissen, Danny Park, Dave Spears, Kenny White and Pam Porter to the Veterans Day Committee.

•Gave first-round approval to an ordinance that would set a 45-mph speed limit on Seneca between 85th North and 93rd North and between 61st North to 69th North. A final vote will be taken June 19.

•Heard community development director Warren Utecht report on a recent survey of residents about the kinds of projects they think would encourage growth in the city.

•Set a hearing for 7 p.m. July 17 concerning a dangerous structure on the property at 7000 N. Chaparral. The city wants the property owner to do something about the open basement foundation that was constructed on the property.

•Approved a request to waive sign regulations so Get Fit, Bee Fit can advertise its summer downtown farmers market with temporary signs in various locations across the city.

•Set a budget workshop for 6 p.m. June 12 at City Hall.

•Approved a request from LifePoint Church to use Lions Park for its summer vacation Bible school, “Marketplace," July 14 through 19.

•Heard a recommendation from Utecht on new homebuyer incentives. The council will discuss the plan at a future council meeting.