Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tribune article on ballot referendum for parks and recreation:
Commissioners weigh tax hike referendum
By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 29, 2012 Updated: June 29, 2012 – 12:00 AM
TAMPA — Hillsborough County commissioners weren’t exactly enthusiastic Thursday about the idea of putting a property tax increase before voters in November, but they didn’t rule it out either.
Meeting in a budget workshop, commissioners got their first chance to comment publicly on a proposal by County Administrator Mike Merrill to put an $80 million bond issue on the Nov. 6 ballot. The bonds would be paid back with a property tax increase of 21 cents per $1,000 worth of value, or $25 a year for the owner of a house valued at $165,000.
Merrill said the tax and bond issue would be a way to catch up on languishing parks and recreation construction projects, as well as pay for reconstruction of the now-closed Friendship Trail Bridge.
Most of the commissioners were noncommittal, though several tipped their hand as to which way they’re leaning on the proposal.
Commissioner Victor Crist, who faces a conservative challenger in the August Republican primary, said he is not opposed to tax referendums per se. But before the commission takes such a politically precarious step, Crist said, commissioners should first look at other ways to meet recreation needs, such as merging the county parks department with similar departments in Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City.
“I want to see more due diligence … that there are no other ways (to fund park projects) and I don’t feel that way right now,” Crist said.
Commissioner Sandy Murman said she, too, is uneasy with asking voters to tax themselves unless commissioners are sure the parks and recreation projects are needed. Murman, who chairs an economic prosperity committee made up of businessmen and other residents, said the commission should focus on economic development.
“I’d have to say I’m like Commissioner Crist: I’m not there yet,” Murman said.
Commissioners Mark Sharpe and Ken Hagan, countering Murman’s comments, said quality parks and other outdoor recreation venues are economic development tools. Sharpe, in quick-fire fashion, named a half dozen financial publications that rate quality of life factors, such as parks and schools, more important than low taxes to corporations looking for new facility sites.
Hagan agreed.
“There is a direct correlation between parks and recreation and economic development,” he said.
Commissioners generally agreed that Merrill’s staff needs to closely look at the $57.5 million in parks projects that would be funded by the bond issue in addition to the Friendship Trail. The list includes upgrades to recreation centers across the county, land acquisition and preliminary engineering for phase 4 of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, and a $15 million countywide soccer complex.
Reconstruction of the Friendship Trail Bridge as a linear park would cost an estimated $27.5 million. The county already has $4.4 million it had set aside for the bridge’s demolition. But on Wednesday, commissioners delayed awarding the demolition contract so engineers can so further assess the bridge’s high span, or hump.
These are the important dates if county commissioners decide to put a property tax increase and $80 million bond issue on the Nov. 6 ballot:
- July 18 or sooner: The county commission authorizes the county attorney to draft ordinance with referendum language. The ballot language must be 75 words or less.
- Aug. 2: Commissioners must set a public hearing date on the referendum. The ordinance must be in final form.
- Aug. 16: Public hearing on the ordinance. The ordinance would set referendum date, approve the form of the ballot question and provide for bond issue.
- Aug. 31: Ballot language due to county supervisor of elections.
- Nov. 6: Election and public vote on referendum.
