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Special District White Paper - Draft for Internal Review • Park and recreational facilities and equipment now owned by the City could be retained in the ownership of the City, and either leased to the special district or operated by the City under agreement or contract with the district. Alternatively, parks and other facilities could be sold to a park and recreation district without violating the provisions of the GO bonds recently approved by Eugene voters. Program services could be provided either by the district's staff or City staff under agreement or contract with the district. Several paths for achieving this goal are available and should be carefully considered. The revenue estimates for each example assume a 93% tax collection rate. Example 1: Formation of a New Park and Recreation District A group of electors may initiate a petition to form a new district with boundaries contiguous with the City's boundaries. Alternatively, the Boundary Commission itself may initiate a formation process. An economic feasibility study and proposed permanent operating property tax rate limitation would also be prepared. A permanent operating tax rate limit using a portion of the unused $5.50 per $1000 AV constitutionally permitted maximum general government rate will be proposed. A tax rate of $1.57 per $1000 AV would generate net revenue of about $11.8 million annually for pa a f `recreation se ices.' Remember that, in vie of practical and policy Irmi a tions discussed earlier, the rate actually proposed for a park a .d recr`patio I district hol/Id `e lower than maximum allowed by the district's principal Act. If adopted y the vgfers, a ? xirhurp rate of $1.57 per $1000 AV will produce revenue far be, low the rh allowedly stet to for park and recreation district serving the territory of Eugene _ t The prospective petition m be filed with thie County Clerk - before being circulated. Signatures of at least 15% or 100 city voters, whichever is greater, must be obtained. Before submission of the petition to the Boundary Commission, the City Council must consent to allow the City territory to be included. The completed petition is submitted to the County Clerk who verifies the signatures. The County then would transfer it to the Lane County Local Government Boundary Commission. After study of the petition and required public hearings, the Boundary Commission may reject the petition modify the district's proposed boundaries, or approve the petition as submitted. If the Boundary Commission takes favorable action the measure would be returned to the County. The County may not change the Boundary Commission's determination. A single ballot question would be prepared, containing both the question of formation and the permanent tax rate limit. In this case of a new park and recreation district, candidates for the new district's board are also voted on in this election. The ballot measure must be placed on a primary or general election ballot. It would be subject to the Constitution's double majority requirements, unless it is on a general election ballot of an even numbered year. Passage of the ballot measure would authorize creation of the district, authorize the district collection of taxes within a maximum limit, and create a district board. If the measure succeeds at the polls, the newly elected district board would then meet and decide how best to fulfill the new district's purposes. The board may propose to lease or purchase park and recreation properties and facilities from the City and hire program staff. Alternatively, the board may decide to have an agreement or contract for provision of park and recreation services with another government or nonprofit agency. It is possible that the City of Draft #5 Page 29 1 0/24/0 1