July 8, 2008 — Lassen County Supervisors are continuing to work with Lassen High School officials in hopes of getting pool built. County Administrative Officer John Ketelsen told the Board of Supervisors at its June 24 meeting that the high school district could get a grant from the state for $2 million. To be eligible the district must show a dollar for dollar match from a joint use partner, which would be the county.

The matching funds do not need to be used for construction costs. Therefore, if the county decides to place a measure for operating and maintenance costs on the November ballot, the funds would qualify for the match through and agreement with the Community Services Area and LHUSD, Ketelsen said.

The estimated cost for the pool project envisioned by the school district is $8 million. If successful in getting the $2 million grant there will be a $6 million deficit.

Supervisor Jim Chapman, who represents District 2, has said in prior meetings he is looking at seeing only a $20 increase per year on individual parcel taxes. Supervisor Brian Dahle has suggested the board ask for what it really needs to get the pool built even if it is higher than the $20.

One goal of the board is to put the issue on the ballot to have voters decide once and for all, if they really want a swimming pool and what they are willing to pay to get one. It took three tries for voters to see the need in supporting a county library.

The school district said its intentions are to generate the remainder of the construction costs through a bond measure. Therefore, it appears the county will bring a tax measure to the November ballot in conjunction to the high school district also asking voters for money so it can construct the pool. The county measure will operate and maintain the facility.

Ketelsen told the board that if the CSA’s ballot measure fails, it would need to negotiate with other interested agencies and Lassen Community College through the JPA that was formed early in the year.

The pool discussion is scheduled to be on every board agenda until it is built. The supervisors meet at 9:30 a.m. in open session Tuesday, July 8 in the boardroom at 707 Nevada St.

There are steps the county has to follow to form a CSA. First, it must secure a map and property description of the territory covered by the pool. County staff suggests the area be within the LUHSD service area.

It must then prepare a service plan, which would involve the following: a Memorandum of Understanding between the county’s CSA and LUHSD; retain the services of financing advisors; calculate the cash flow to support the operating costs of a pool and determine the amount to be solicited through a special tax measure.

Once that is done, the county can petition the Local Area Formation Commission to form the CSA through a resolution by the board. It must then secure a resolution from the Susanville City Council.

The last step is to submit an application to LAFCo, including the resolutions and the rest of the service plans.

LAFCo needs a 21-day notice.

Part of the negotiation with the high school district is making sure the MOU addresses an agreement regarding matching funds for the state grant assuming the ballot measure passes. It also needs to urge the school district to place a construction bond measure on the same ballots as the CSA operating fund measure.

County staff will also begin to meet with potential partners to discuss their level of contribution to the program.

Ballot
The county has until Aug. 8 to submit an election measure the Lassen County Clerk’s Office. The ballot measure will ask voters in the service area (all areas that feed their elementary children to Lassen High School) to decide whether there should be levied a parcel tax to support construction, operation and maintenance of a community pool facility. A two-thirds vote is required to pass the measure.