OFFICE OF THE
Dear Board Members: During your meeting yesterday, Chris Gouig raised a question about whether the Expenditure Plan limited fee interest acquisitions to public parks, thus impliedly prohibiting fee acquisitions for other purposes. After again reviewing the language of the Plan, it is my view that the sales tax revenue of the Authority could be used for fee acquisitions other than public parks, so long as the acquisition promoted the agricultural and open space preservation of lands in the categories described in the Plan. For instance, a fee purchase and agricultural leaseback could be accomplished under the Plan's existing language, rather than an acquisition of development rights. Should the sales tax measure pass on November 6, then greater clarification of this matter could be made in the required contract between your Board and the Board of Supervisors.
JPB:dlb |
