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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM072778July 27, 1978 has to be supported by taxes. The mosquito abatement districts have very little if any other way to support themselve but by taxes. The maintenance areas are based on services not to a single person. The Fridley-Biggs Ambulance is subvention of fees. The recreation districts can raise fees. Dan Black stock, county counsel, spoke regarding George Base's opinion for districts who set levies. There is concern relative as to whether or not taxing entities would construe assessment as term.. has been used in SB 90 legislation. From the standpoint of proposition 13 and the standpoint from assessment assessed on the basis of improvement to property he would ne'camnerd that the Boaxd consider that as assessment as from ad valorem tax rate. He suggested to the Boaxd that they recommend to the Recreation districts that they raise their fees by assessment. They could raise assessments based upon improvement to certain property. That type of assessment is not controlled under proposition 13. Hearing open to the public. Appearing: Recreation Districts 1. Jean Pratt, speaking for the four park and recreation districts. Ms. Pratt read a letter to the Board requesting their proportionate share of the $125 million made available for special district. Ten percent of their funding is by fees. The letter was filed with the Board. Ms. Pratt stated that she would also like to speak to the Board as an individual. Recreation keeps youths busy. Before proposition 13 was passed the district was working on a plan to provide as much activity for kids as possible. The alternative could be a much higher cost. Tf the programs are not provided for the youth, they could get info trouble. The cost of this is much more expensive than preventive programs. xt is too bad that people look at recreation as extra. That is not so. 2. Steve BeMiller. Mr. SeMiller spoke regarding the aquatic programs, There are no age restrictions on swimming. Swimming is used in terms of exercise and ~heraputic. There is competition developed thxough some of the swimming programs. There is physical skill development. Mr. BeMiller set out the different types of swimming programs available, Butte County is a lethal county in terms of available water. There must be a means to teach people to swim and safety rules. 3. John Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees spoke regarding the Little League program. In the Feather River Park and Recreation District there are 53 teams representing over 600 boys and girls. The League is self supporting but needs facilities. The League has contributed to the facilities on Nelson Avenue. Mr. Voorhees stated that he would not like to see to facilities cut. ~. Kathy Way. Ms. Way spoke regarding the handicapped swim program. She would like to see it continued. 5. Jerry Hughes. Mr. Hughes stated that Ms. Way had requested to speak today. Ms. Way has participated in the handicapped swim program for a number of years.' 6. Frank Castello, director, Oroville Recreation Cooperative. Mr. Castello stated that his organization works with the handicapped. The results of the program endeavor is related to the volunteer staff who have given of their energies. They have the support of local service clubs. The recreation district has given them use o£ their facilities. Page 102. July,27, 1978 July 27, 197s The organization's goal. is to integrate the handicapped person into the community and raises the awareness of the community. The dynamics of recreation are far reaching. When community awareness is brought about, the community becomes a better place for people to live and work. Recreation is not only for the handicapped but for all the people. When business looks for a location, they think about recreational facilities for their staff. 7. BiII Gracey. Mr. Gracey spoke regarding the senior citizens. activities. He recommended that the senior citizens activities from the recreational and social viewpoint be maintained, The quality of life in Chico has been improved by the facilities at CARD. The senior citizen is a person that needs recreational facilities that adds an opportunity to build mental health and increase social ability. 8. Grace Beiler. Ms. Beiler spoke to the Board regarding arts and crafts. Recreation takes many forms. Some people cannot participate in sports but can participate in arts and crafts. Ms. Beiler stated that for the last 12 years she has been a volunteer worker in Paradise with the arts and crafts program. She hoped the Board would see fit to continue the arts and crafts. 9. Jerry Hughes, CARD, Mr. Hughes stated that he had received the priority list. Mr. Hughes stated that he would like to review the list and be able to come back. On the question of short fall, no one knows. CARD could realize 6~%. Beyond the availability of funds for special districts, there will be a need for support as a Board of Supervisors in whatever legislation may become necessary for special districts. The recreation districts are all in the process of increasing fees. Zn some cases the fees have been increased 100%. Mr. Lawrence stated that the figures in column B in the memo reflect the average taxes collected by each agency for three years prior and applied theoretically tfl~-ahe $4 tax rate. This may be way off. 10. Henry McQuown, II, director, Feather River Parks and Recreation District. Mr. McQuown stated that the district is in a real dilemma. With the attrition factor the people who need the programs are the ones who will be hardest hit. 11. Sonny Brandt. Mr. Brandt stated that his district is looking at about 100% increase in fees. They are in the process of putting together a list:and developing costs. 12. Judy Wagner, Durham Recreation and Park District. Ms, Wagner stated that the district raised their prices in May. There was only one program to raise the fees and that is swimming. l3. Terry Ashe, Paradise Park and Recreation District stated that he agreed with the statements made. Mr. Lawrence stated that some of these districts have loan committments that they have to cover and the revenue will not cover their needs in that area, Chairman Winston stated that any input relative to income, exgenses or taxes should be directed to the Administrative Office and the Auditor's Office, Supervisor Madigan stated that he heard the news that outlined a bill that the Governor signed extended the time for the legislature to act to put some measures an the ballot to cover some of the problems. Page 103. July 27,_1978 July 27, 197$ Fire Districts 1. John Tolle, Paradise Fire District. Mr. Tolle stated that the board of directors worked hard on the budget. If the budget is cut by the $346,000 Mr. Lawrence's figures show and subvention funds were not available, the lowest budget submitted is going to be short about $b7,000, The same applies to E1 Medio and CSA 53, Cemeterv Districts 1. Lowell King, Biggs-Gridley Cemetery District. Mr. King stated that they can go back and look at their budget to see if they have a need for any of the money. After going back, they might not need the money by changing the rates. Mr. King would like to come back at a later date to discuss .,the matter. Mosquito Abatement Districts 1. Bi11 Geddis, Oroville Mosquito Abatement Districto Mr. Geddis stated that the services of the abatement districts must be deemed essential because of the possible outbreak of encephalitis and malaria if not continued. The EPA has taken most of the effective weapons away. The district has one permanent employee and two CETA employees. One of the CETA ~o~ets who has been trained might be leaving. There must be two trained employees to be effective, The district is totally tax supported by property taxes. The reserves that are carried are for emergency funds in case of an epidemic. RECESS: 10:50 a.m. RECONVENE: 11:00 a.m, 2, Dr, William Hazeltine, Butte County Mosquito Abatement District. Dr. Hazeltine stated that the district is being penalized because .of the reserve it carries over. In order to do anything in the way of getting fees, an abatement natice would have to be affectede The money would have to be put into the general fund and go into next year's budget. As far as charging a fee the answer is no. It would cost far more to raise the money than the money generatedo The district has eliminated the backyard spraying. If one yard needs spraying, this suggests an area problem. Drainage Districts 1. Jeff Carter, Peters, Fuller, Rush, Schooling and Luvaas, Mr. Carter stated that he is representing the drainage districts, The drainage districts'. provide four functions: 1. Control of storm and waste water, 2, Protection of property from storm and waste wafer, 3. Water conservation. 4. Invaluable services to members of the district. If the districts on the basis of the memo experience a substantial short fall? it may result in the effective dissolution of the districts. The drainage districts are unique. Theyrely exclusively on property taxes. They have the authorization to pass bonds if need be. Taking into account the general fund reserves of the district, this may result in a penalty to the districts who had wisdom to set money aside. Some things are restricted by law including a number of cash assets, amounts for capital outlay, amounts for insurance and amounts for reserves. Page 1040 July 27, 1978 July 27, 1978 + 2. Garrett Campbell, Drainage District No. 1. Mr. Campbell stated that the district daes not have any way of raising funds. It is imperative to keep the districts operating. Countv Service Areas 1, Bill Scott, CSA 37, Gridley-Biggs Ambulance. Mr. Scott stated that the service area offers widex service to the communities of Gridley, Biggs and Richvale. The Service Area was formed on the basis that there were not enough calls to support a cammercial operator. The area could not be covered without the financing of CSA 37 and without the Oroville Ambulance Service. There is no way that the rates can be raised. Interested persons from audience 1. DeVere Pace. Mr. Pace stated that the Board;amight consider as a starting point going back to the services and. programs available in 1975 and eliminating those that have been added.stince'.th~t date. Chairman Winston acknowledged Judge Tillman Daly in the audience. Judge Daly stated that the Lime Saddle Community Service District has no way of knowing were it is at the present time. He would like to set up a meeting with Supervisor Lemke and Chairman Winston to meet with himself and Carl Fisher. Mr. Lawrence stated that it would probably be August 8, 1978 before there will be anything meaningful. The time has been extended for adopting the budget to September 30. The hearing was continued to August 1, 1978 at 10:00 a.m. RECESS: 11:25 a.m. RECONVENE: 11:35 a.m. SUPERVISOR RICHTER ABSENT AT_THTS TIME. 78-1392 BUDGET SESSION - PROPOSITION 13 - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS The Discussion of budget adjustment continued at this time. 15. Proposed deletions of maintenance items for county buildings Tentative approval, 16. Proposedplacing of. motor vehicle in-lieu revenue into general fund instead of road and bridge fund Gerald Lively, administrative analyst, set out the background of the motor vehicle in-lieu revenue. Traditionally the motor vehicle in-lieu revenue was placed in the road and bridge fund,up until last year. This tax is charges for vehicles identified by Motor Vehicle. Up until last year, the revenue was placed in the F-30 account. Once funds are placed in that account they cannot be taken out. Last year a special road fund was created that does not knave that restriction. The motor vehicle in-lieu funds ga into that account. Tt is proposed to place the funds in the general fund this year. This would be about $1.27 million. The road and bridge program as a iahole was looked at to see what effect there would be if motor vehicle in-lieu funds were not used. The total number of road and bridge projects is about 83. Those are active projects. There are 23 proposed projects and an additional five bridge projects. Last years expenditures for roads and bridges was $3.l million. This is one-half of the total Public Works budget, The Public Works Department has about 200 employees, 19% of the total labox force not including CETA. The question about transfer of funds affecting lay offs is probably not a concern. Page 105. July 27, 1978 July 27, 1978 There are 27 regular employees and 3 manpower positions in the engineering and administration section. Those are the people who would be affected if any. If you transferred all of the in-lieu funds the impact would be on about 20 projects. .There is about $1/2 million in surplus in the road fund. The list in possible project reductions would be about eleven. This would mean that there would be more than 100 projects still on the books. Clif 'Nickelson, Administrative officer, stated that if the Board were to do this, Public Works Department would have to came up with. a capital improvement plan so that the engineering would only be done an the five-year improvement plan. Budget hearings continued to August 1, 1978 at 1:30 g.m. 78-9393 ADDITIONAL MATTER PRESENTED BY SUPERVISOR LEMKE Supervisor Lemke stated ghat the 'Property Ownexs Association is concerned with the lowering of Skyway south of Rosewood on the Skyway from Coulter project. He would like permission to work with Public Works and the Engineer to see if it is feasible Before building the road. Supervisor Lemke given permission to work with Public. Works and engineer. RECESS: The Board recessed at 12:15 pom. to reconvene on Tuesday, August 1, 1978 at 9:00 a.m. Page 106. July 27, 1978