Parks tax plan finalizing details

The parks group wants voters to pass a one-eighth cent sales tax to maintain the county's parks with revenue outside the county's general fund coffers. Tentatively, the managers agree to give the county 40 percent with 60 percent going to the cities and districts, Hill said.

If annual growth exceeds 4 percent, the extra revenue will also go to the cities and districts.

Under state law, a one-eighth cent tax increase must first be approved by the Legislature before heading to the ballot. The enabling bill has already cleared two committees.

Meanwhile, Hill said the next step is approaching each individual city to explain the tax and seek support. That feedback, coupled with the parks group at large, will determine final details such as life of the measure.

If the tax measure is placed on the ballot by next November, two-thirds of voters must vote favorably for it to pass. The county abandoned plans last year for legislation to create a self-governing district. The parks group initially considered other revenue-generators such as an assessment district or parcel tax but a telephone poll of 700 residents showed greater support for the sales tax idea.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com