Wild Spaces & Public PlacesCitizens Oversight Committee

Report to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners March 27, 2012

Jon Reiskind City of Gainesville resident Chair

Bill Richards County resident Vice-Chair

Thomas Hawkins, Sr County resident

John Martin Appt. by League of Cities

Mickey Thomason City of Gainesville resident

Joni Ellis County resident (alternate)

Key Staff

County: Rick Drummond Ramesh BuchJohn Brower

City of Gainesville: Steve Phillips

Wild Spaces & Public PlacesCitizens Oversight Committee

Examined a number of “quality of life” capital projects eligible for infrastructure surtax

Determined that conservation measures had the highest level of support, followed by schools, roads, and recreation.

Funded by the Trust for Public Land and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce

2008 Public Opinion Poll

Funding % Much More Likely % Total More Likely

Preserving land to protect drinking water sources 57% 84%

Protecting water quality of our river, lakes and creeks 57% 82%

Increasing the use of clean energy such as solar in public buildings 53% 77%

Protecting wildlife habitat 49% 74%

Extending the useful life of school buildings through repairs and upgrades 47% 82%

Protecting environmentally sensitive lands 47% 73%

Protecting natural areas 47% 73%

Easing traffic congestion 43% 74%

Maintaining and improving existing roads 42% 78%

Replacing older buses with cleaner, fuel efficient buses and expanding bus routes for the Regional Transit system

42% 71%

Increasing energy efficiency of mechanical and lighting systems in public buildings 41% 69%

Fighting global warming by protecting forest lands 40% 65%

Adding classrooms to existing school buildings 38% 73%

2008 Public Opinion Poll

Ranked By % Much More Likely to Vote Yes in Favor of Sales Tax Measure if that Particular item receives Funding

Funding % Much More Likely % Total More Likely

Increasing driver and pedestrian safety 37% 68%

Creating and improving parks 31% 62%

Widening major roads 31% 58%

Reducing time spent at intersections 29% 56%

Building new elementary schools in western Alachua county 28% 57%

Creating and improving recreational trails and boardwalks for walking, hiking and biking 27% 59%

Creating and improving recreation centers 27% 59%

Creating new senior centers 26% 58%

Building new roads 26% 55%

Building a new high school in southwest 24% 52%

Creating and improving arts and cultural facilities 23% 51%

Extending existing roads 21% 53%

Building new ballfields and play fields 19% 48%

2008 Public Opinion Poll

• 50:50 between land conservation and recreation/parks

• Recreation funds are allocated to municipalities proportional to population

• Each municipality and the County have provided a list of capital projects

The Split

Proceeds for two years (2008 Estimates)

 

Alachua County

City of Gainesville

Small Cities

TOTAL

Active Recreation

$1,996,888 $11,773,904 $3,120,912 $16,891,704

Senior Recreation

$1,500,000 $1,500,000 $ - $3,000,000

Conservation $17,055,404 $2,836,300 $ - $19,891,704

       

TOTAL $20,552,292 $16,110,204 $3,120,912 $39,783,408

• has passed in all but 8 of Florida’s 67 counties• will increase Alachua County’s total sales tax to 6-3/4%• is at 7% for all of the counties surrounding Alachua

County (except 6-1/2% for Marion Co.)

• does not tax food, pharmaceuticals, motor fuel, real estate sales, and most services

• is not collected for transactions over $5,000• will generate revenues of close to $40 million, as

much of 25% of which will come from out-of-county visitors and shoppers

The infrastructure sales tax . . .

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WILD SPACES & PUBLIC PLACES ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS, PARKS, RECREATION ONE-

HALF PERCENT SALES TAX SHALL ALACHUA COUNTY BE AUTHORIZED TO EXTEND THE ALACHUA COUNTY FOREVER PROGRAM TO ACQUIRE AND IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTALLY SIGNIFICANT LANDS, TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER SOURCES, WATER QUALITY, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND TO CREATE, IMPROVE, AND MAINTAIN PARK AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN ALL CITIES AND THE COUNTY, WITH CITIZEN OVERSIGHT AND INDEPENDENT AUDIT, BY THE LEVY OF A ONE-HALF PERCENT (1/2%) SALES TAX FOR TWO (2) YEARS, STARTING JANUARY 1, 2009 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010?  [ ] FOR the one-half percent sales tax.

[ ] AGAINST the one-half percent sales tax.

Alachua County Resolution 08-017.

53%

Original 1/2 Cent Revenue Projections (2008) $ 39,783,408

Current 1/2 Cent Reported Revenue $ 31,161,812

Percent Difference -22%

Total Revenues (Life-To-Date)* $32,257,628

Total Expenditures (L-T-D) $22,040,293

Remainder $10,217,334

* Includes interest, rebates and reimbursements

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Revenues & ExpendituresAs of December 31, 2012

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Revenues & ExpendituresAs of December 31, 2012

Alachua County

City of Alachua

City of Archer

City of Gainesville

City of Hawthorne

City ofHigh Springs

City of LaCrosse

City of Micanopy

City of Newberry

City of Waldo

Revenues                    

Sales Tax $16,119,407  $887,028  $138,816  $12,578,486  $158,220  $535,238  $22,020  $71,946  $564,444  $86,206 Interest Income $716,321  $1,887    $377,607             

Revenue Total $16,835,728  $888,915  $138,816  $12,956,093  $158,220  $535,238  $22,020  $71,946  $564,444  $86,206 

Expenditures                    

Wild Spaces $11,551,009  $0  $0  $839,650  $0  $0  $0  $0  $0  $0 

Public Places $1,901,645  $826,346  $138,816  $6,386,530  $27,801  $249,821  $0  $0  $58,055  $60,621 Expenditure Total $13,452,654 $826,346 $138,816 $7,226,180 $27,801 $249,821 $0 $0 $58,055 $60,621

Remainder $3,383,074  $62,569  $0  $5,729,913  $130,419  $285,417  $22,020  $71,946  $506,390  $25,585 

Alachua County

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)*Current Agency Project Budget

Life-To-Date Actuals

Land Conservation (82.9854% of proceeds)Agreed Interlocal Budget  $ 13,057,452 Debt Interest Payment   $ 326,238   $ 324,038  $324,038Environmentally Sensitive Land Purchases  $ 13,059,652  $11,226,971

Sub-Total $ 13,383,690 $ 13,383,690 $11,551,009 Parks (17.0146%)

Agreed Interlocal Budget  $ 2,677,186 Debt Interest Payment  $ 66,889   $ 66,438  $66,438Improvements at Kanapaha Park (Comm Center)  $ 1,167,745  $334,715 G-ville-Archer Regional Bike Trail (Archer Braid) $0 Senior Recreation Center  $ 1,500,000  $1,500,000 

Sub-Total $ 2,744,075 $ 2,734,183 $1,901,645

* Adjusted downward proportional to actual reduced revenues received

City of Alachua

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Acq of land for City Recreation Center  $ 1,500,000  $500,000 

Acq of land for Cleather Hathcock Comm Center  $ 175,000  $0 Acq of land Exp of St. Matthew's & Maude Lewis Park  $ 50,000  $0 Imp to Recreation Center  $ 3,757,000  $22,973 Imp to Cleather Hathcock Comm Center  $ 195,000  $0 Imp to San Felasco City of Alachua Preserv Corr  $ 740,500  $250,145 Light timers for Welch, Maude, Downtown, & Criswell Parks  $ 10,000  $0 Phase II of Water Park at Rec Center  $ 150,000  $0 Imp to gym ceiling  $ 80,000  $0 Conversion of Swick House to Civic Center  $ 547,000  $0 Sidewalk imp on Rec Center property  $ 60,000  $53,228 

Total $ 887,488 $ 7,264,500 $826,346

City of Archer

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Completion of Archer Community Center  $                     -    $138,816 

Skate Park Area  $                     -    $0 Reno of Rec Center ("old fire station")  $                     -    $0 Picnic area & playground  $                     -    $0 Jogging trail  $                     -    $0 Swimming pool & bath house  $                     -    $0 

Total $ 138,888 $ - $138,816

City of Gainesville

Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Land Conservation (17.6056% of proceeds)Environmentally Sensitive Land Purchases  $     2,215,666   $        2,565,247  $839,650 

Sub-Total $ 2,215,666 $ 2,565,247 $839,650 Parks (82.3944%)

Recreation Master Plan  $            100,000  $0WSPP Contingency  $            213,119  $0WSPP Operating Set-Aside  $            951,000  $118,428Imp to Alfred A. Ring Park - Boardwalk Replace  $            481,351  $459,351Imp to Citizens Park/NE Pool - C  $            698,169  $668,170Imp to Cofrin Nature Park - C  $              52,676  $52,676Imp to Cone Park - General Park Imp  $         1,611,900  $928,898Imp to Depot Park  $         1,000,000  $43,207Imp to Greentree Park  $              95,000  $43,649Imp to Hogtown Creek Headwater Park  $            150,000  $25,969Imp to Lincoln Park - General Park Imp - C  $            127,459  $127,459Imp to Loblolly Trails  $                       -    $0

C - Indicates completed projects

City of Gainesville continued

Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Imp to Nature Parks - General Park Imp  $            188,000  $175,846Imp to Neighborhood Parks  $            507,001  $261,573Imp to Northeast Park - C  $            263,000  $98,271Imp to Northside Park  $                       -    $0Northwest Soccer Complex  $                       -    $0Imp to Possum Creek Park - C  $            460,010  $460,010Imp to Rosa Williams Center - C  $            180,549  $180,549Senior Recreation Center  $         1,500,000  $1,500,000Acq of /Imp to Smokey Bear Park - General Imp  $            600,000  $31,058Imp to TB McPherson Rec Center   $            249,502  $206,017Imp to Thomas Center Bldg A - C  $            223,677  $163,409Imp to Westside Park/Pool - Pool and Tennis - C  $            841,990  $841,990

Sub-Total $ 10,369,343 $ 10,494,403 $6,386,530

C - Indicates completed projects

City of Hawthorne

Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Imp to City Athletic Fields  $            13,000  $26,120 Imp to Lindsey-Philips (Johnson Lake) Park  $              2,000  $1,665 Imp to the Trailhead of Hawthorn-Gville Trail  $            25,000  $16 

Total $ 158,302 $ 40,000 $27,801

City of High SpringsTotal Estimated 

Budget (Adjusted)

Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Reno of Hist HS Elem Sch/Comm Youth  $          407,847  $0 Reno HS Civic Center/Senior Center  $            75,000  $83,548 Park Imp - Civic Center Park - C  $              5,000  $6,913 Construct public restrooms - Taylor Park  $            12,000  $159,360 

Total $ 535,516 $ 499,847 $249,821

C - Indicates completed projects

C - Indicates completed projects

Town of LaCrosse

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Tennis court imp  $              0  $             0 Basketball court imp  $              0  $             0 Install of fans at picnic pavilions  $              0  $             0 Playground imp  $              0  $             0 Lighting imp  $              0  $             0 

Total $ 22,031 $ 0 $ 0

C - Indicates completed projects

Town of Micanopy

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Ball field bleacher replacement  $              0  $             0 Ball field scoreboard  $              0  $             0 Cardiovascular trail  $              0  $             0 Community Center  $              0  $             0 Concession facility upgrade  $              0  $             0 Miniture golf course  $              0  $             0 Rec facility fencing  $              0  $             0 Rec facility lighting  $              0  $             0 Regulation-size lighted b-ball court   $              0  $             0 Volleyball court  $              0  $             0 

Total $ 71,984 $ 0 $ 0

Town of Newberry

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Purch Barry House as Comm Center $0 Purch vacant lot next to MLK Park  $          150,000  $14,344 Construct small Comm Center by MLK Park $1,062 Develop Triangle Park  $          350,000  $42,650 Covered b-ball courts at NB Sports Complex $0 

Total $ 540,938 $ 500,000 $58,055

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Total Estimated Budget 

(Adjusted)Current Agency Project Budget

L-T-D Actuals

Imp to Sid Martin Park $18,404 Imp to Waldo Comm Center $35,445 Imp to Waldo Veteran's Park (City Park) $6,772 

Total $ 93,891 $ - $60,621

Town of Waldo

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Issues, Challenges, & Requests for Direction

• City of Hawthorne– Repayment schedule– Stormwater Facility

• City of Newberry– Relocation of facility

• Sunset Date