CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council heard a presentation Thursday regarding Measure L, the countywide half-cent sales tax initiative for improving the health of Clear Lake.
Lake County Public Works and Water Resources Director Scott De Leon delivered a PowerPoint presentation explaining the purpose of the measure and the proposed expenditure plan for the first year.
While the measure does not include program-specific percentages, funds are to be utilized only in the areas of water quality programs, invasive aquatic species, prevention and control of aquatic weeds and algae, and development of reserves for future capital projects.
De Leon said passage of the measure is projected to generate $2.4 million in the first year. Revenues are to be directly allocated to the Watershed Protection District, with the Lake County Board of Supervisors acting as the district's governing body.
De Leon said administrative and personnel costs will continue to be covered by the Watershed Protection District.
However, De Leon said “programs require people” and should there be need to implement programs in the future that support the purpose of the measure, funds could be used to cover associated costs including personnel. He said there are currently five people employed in the Water Resources Department.
De Leon said the department's primary objective will be the prevention of lake infestation by quagga and zebra mussels, which he said will destroy the fishery as well as change the lake's ecosystem forever. He said property values will decrease because of lake conditions and the perception the lake is infested.
Most importantly, De Leon said, costs to water purveyors will increase with the need for additional maintenance and treatment. He said those costs will be passed to consumers.
De Leon said a sales tax measure is needed because current revenues do not support programs, and state and federal agencies continue to add programs and conditions on water quality that require action.
He said there also are public demands for increased services and a need to increase protection against invasive species.
“We can 'live within our means,' but that will require a reduction in services and no advancement in invasive species programs,” De Leon said.
The measure, which includes a 10-year sunset clause, is intentionally written with flexibility to provide options for the various programs identified in the initiative, De Leon explained. Funds can be spent only on those programs identified and cannot be diverted to the county's general fund.
De Leon said expenditures will be audited annually either by the county auditor-controller or by an outside firm to ensure compliance.
“The measure provides funding for current programs as well as provisions for stormwater monitoring, funding for the Middle Creek Marsh project and set-aside funds for matching future grant opportunities,” De Leon said, adding the process for securing grant awards is changing, often calling for up-front expenses that are later reimbursed.
He said a successful measure would put the county in a better position when competing for grants.
The measure requires that an oversight committee be formed, De Leon said. Expenditure plans must be submitted to the committee as well as the Board of Supervisors prior to each new fiscal year.
De Leon said the oversight committee is to be comprised of citizens from the county as well as the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.
The Board of Supervisors will take nominations from existing communities and groups including the city of Lakeport, the city of Clearlake, Invasive Species Council, Lake County Farm Bureau, Fish and Wildlife Committee, Sierra Club, business organizations and the tribal community, De Leon said.
Oversight meetings will be subject to the Brown Act, requiring public notification and open participation, De Leon said.
The proposed expenditure plan De Leon presented for the first year is as follows: Water quality programs – lake and stream monitoring as required by state and federal permits ($250,000); Burns Valley Creek dredging and streambank restoration ($250,000); Clearlake Keys wetland development ($100,000); and Middle Creek Marsh restoration reserves ($400,000); invasive species prevention – mechanical ramp controls ($1 million); weed and algae program – nuisance aquatic weeds and algae mitigation ($400,000).
De Leon said the advantage of the proposed measure is that the sales tax will apply only to purchase of goods, including those purchased by tourists and visitors to the area.
He said if the measure were to pass in June, the county could begin receiving revenues as early as January 2015.
For more information, visit www.savethelake.info .
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