During a July 5 meeting, City Council held a discussion regarding the allocation of the venue tax and the plan moving forward.
Through the discussion, council decided to pursue an option that would allocate the venue tax between the golf course and the linear parks within the city.
The background
Voters approved a ballot item for a bond to be passed in 1997 that was used for the construction of the golf course.
In 2002, voters approved the venue tax, which uses funds to help pay off the bond debt.
The 1997 bond debt is set to be paid off in the fiscal year 2023-24 budget, which leaves the City Council to give direction regarding the allocation of funds, whether to remove the tax altogether or come up with an alternative option.
The project
City Manager Kim Turner said the priorities outlined through City Council discussion include:
- Priority one: Golf Course Interfund Loan repayment (approximately $1.9 million)
- Priority two: make annual transfer of venue tax to the city’s general fund for the management of venue projects
- Priority three: golf course repairs/improvements
- Priority four: exercise council discretion using venue tax for parks and open spaces
Depending on the direction council decides to go, the fourth priority would have venue tax funds allocated to linear parks and open spaces that qualify for funding.
What's next?
The July 5 meeting was for discussion only. City Council will revisit the discussion during budget meetings to determine the best way to distribute venue tax revenue among different amenities, which fall under the definition of venues.
Since the discussion only gave direction to city staff, further plans to move forward will be approved during future City Council meetings.
