Lake Arrowhead & Crestline Communities

Vote NO on CSA 59 Property Survey for Road Improvements for DLP.

Before we can make a well informed vote for this special tax they are proposing for road improvements for DLP, the survey needs to be more specific in wording. The language should be perfect! Otherwise the Special Districts can do as they please with OUR money. Remember the 10 year water bond we had in DLP? I want to be very clear - I WANT the roads to be fixed and repaved. But what I don’t want is for Special Districts to be able to do as they please. When a bond is out for vote, the wording must be very specific so all parties know EXACTLY where they stand and how things will be handled. Right now, the letter that was sent was to The Deer Lodge Park community was too vague for us to make an informed decision. Below are some questions that need to be answered and put in the survey letter:

1. Survey letter states: These time lines are estimates and are based on factors such as the revenue collected each year by the district and the price of asphalt each year when the project goes to bid. Does this mean since the time line is an estimate, Special Districts can go over the 10 year projected for this project? What if they fix and maintain everything DLP needs before the 10 year period is up? Will they be able to increase the costs at any time? Please be more specific in the wording.
2. It would make more sense that DLP residents vote on a FIVE year property tax allocation. It would allow us to see if the Special District is doing what they promised. If we (DLP) feel they are doing the job as promised, we can always put it on the ballot again for another five year term.
3. How many parcels are included in the projection?
4. What will be the total monies collected for road maintenance?
5. What is the total estimate of the DLP road repair project?
6. Where will the interest go that is collected on these monies?
7. Will interest go in a DLP CD to make money so perhaps we won’t have to collect a 2.5% inflationary factor every year?
8. Should we include a 2.5% inflationary factor for ALL ten years?
9. Who will govern and oversee The Special Districts Department so we know our money is being well spent?

When more specifics are defined in the Survey, voters can know exactly what it is they are voting for. It will help people to have a more informed decision as to how they will vote. We shouldn’t vote on a survey that is vague. And I really feel strongly that this should be a FIVE year term for road repair. Let’s let Special District prove themselves first!

SoccerGram-

Your post includes a lot of questions. Here are some answers.

Can Special Districts (SDD) "do as they please" with our money?
NO. It is illegal for SDD to spend money raised for this project on anything other than DLP road improvements.

Can Special Districts extend this tax beyond ten years?
NO. The original plan was for FIVE years, but was rejected by DLP residents last year because it was too expensive. SDD went back to the drawing board, scaled down the project and extended the term to make it more affordable.

How many parcels are included?
Special Districts estimates about 700 tax paying parcels in CSA59. There are a lot of parcels in this service area from which no tax revenue comes in.

Who governs Special Districts?
SDD is a department in the County of San Bernardino. They are governed by the county administrator's office, and indirectly by the Board of Supervisors.

You've got some interesting ideas about the financing that haven't been considered. The DLP Road Committee will be meeting next week. We'd love to have you there. Send me an email at GTODD69 -at- CHARTER -dot- NET if you're interested.

Again, I am not opposed to fixing our roads. Yes, they should be fixed. But my concern is the language of the letter sent. Voters must know exactly how much the project will cost. This is more or less OUR contract with Special Districts to know the work will be done as promised. And more importantly, I assume this language will also be used on the ballot. Clarify so you will get the vote you need. 1. What will be the total spent on the project. 2. You will be getting over $1.5 million and that does NOT include interest OR the 2.5% for inflation. 3. I think a 10 year bond is too much for folks right now in this economy. 4. Why can't we have a five year bond? It will give us a chance to oversee that the money is getting spent correctly. DLP just got done paying a 10 year water bond. Most residents don't want ANOTHER 10 year bond. There must be a way to work this bond in a five year increment and renew again after five. Heck, you may find you won't need to charge $200 per parcel with added inflation prices.

Until the wording is changed and more specific as to what the responsibilities are of each of us in DLP and exact costs and totals...I still say VOTE NO. Once you change the letter and answer specifics, you will get a better vote.

Based on CG's experience with SD, all I can say is watch them close and do NOT trust them.

SD basically is there to collect service fees. The do not do the work. They pit it out for bid with so many restrictions that only their DTH friends can qualify. Of course, they are going to give the county a 'good deal'. Don't all government contracts offer the best price?