Amador County – The Ione City Council last month heard Amador County Recreation Agency’s request to clarify wording in its Joint Power Agreement, then asked for more information to make a decisions. Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep said the county attorney wanted ACRA to clean up “language so we can move forward with financing projects.” To have a successful election would take a two-thirds majority. She said ACRA “certainly can’t levy a tax,” and a recent memo was wrong in saying so. But she believes as a Joint Power Authority, ACRA can already seek funding through ballot initiatives. Mayor Lee Ard said it was difficult for him as ACRA board president and also an Ione City Councilman. Ard said, based on City Attorney Kristen Castanos’ comments, “you need a better lawyer.” Towner-Yep said ACRA’s attorney is good and “gives good, solid and very conservative advice.” Towner-Yep said Prop. 218 taxes, property taxes and sales taxes could be considered, while involvement depended on interest among member entities, which include all cities, the county and the school district, plus Camanche and Upcountry groups. Towner-Yep said ACRA’s mission is to “provide recreation opportunities for all of Amador County,” adding that the agency “budget last year was $403,000 dollars.” And member contributions of $172,000 dollars were “soft money,” not guaranteed, as she must approach members annually. Councilman David Plank asked about vote requirements. Towner-Yep said Prop. 218 needed a 50 percent majority, voter taxes take two-thirds majority. She said the school district’s “Field of Dreams” football field movement failed 3 years ago “because people don’t want to pay different rates.” Towner-Yep said she would be OK with letting taxes taken in an area stay in that area to pay for recreation. The discussion will be continued at a future council meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 04 May 2009 00:41
Ione City Council
Amador County – The Ione City Council last month heard Amador County Recreation Agency’s request to clarify wording in its Joint Power Agreement, then asked for more information to make a decisions. Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep said the county attorney wanted ACRA to clean up “language so we can move forward with financing projects.” To have a successful election would take a two-thirds majority. She said ACRA “certainly can’t levy a tax,” and a recent memo was wrong in saying so. But she believes as a Joint Power Authority, ACRA can already seek funding through ballot initiatives. Mayor Lee Ard said it was difficult for him as ACRA board president and also an Ione City Councilman. Ard said, based on City Attorney Kristen Castanos’ comments, “you need a better lawyer.” Towner-Yep said ACRA’s attorney is good and “gives good, solid and very conservative advice.” Towner-Yep said Prop. 218 taxes, property taxes and sales taxes could be considered, while involvement depended on interest among member entities, which include all cities, the county and the school district, plus Camanche and Upcountry groups. Towner-Yep said ACRA’s mission is to “provide recreation opportunities for all of Amador County,” adding that the agency “budget last year was $403,000 dollars.” And member contributions of $172,000 dollars were “soft money,” not guaranteed, as she must approach members annually. Councilman David Plank asked about vote requirements. Towner-Yep said Prop. 218 needed a 50 percent majority, voter taxes take two-thirds majority. She said the school district’s “Field of Dreams” football field movement failed 3 years ago “because people don’t want to pay different rates.” Towner-Yep said she would be OK with letting taxes taken in an area stay in that area to pay for recreation. The discussion will be continued at a future council meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
