Supervisors to tackle bill involving Quality of Life funds

When Carson City supervisors meet Thursday, they will take on a bill introduced Friday by former supervisor and Assemblyman Pete Livermore that would limit the board's ability to spend money under Quality of Life funds.

Assembly Bill 263 clarifies that the proceeds from a local sales and use tax for open spaces, parks and recreation "must not be used to pay administrative costs of any kind, (or) deposited or transferred into any fund of Carson City other than the fund specifically created for the use of the proceeds from the tax."

City Manager Larry Werner is asking the board to send a letter to Livermore respectfully requesting that the legislation not be processed.

"This legislation, if adopted, will have a significant negative impact on the city's general fund and on bonds issued under the Quality of Life program," said City Manager Larry Werner.

Should the legislation pass, then administrative costs of $280,366 would have to be absorbed by the general fund. Also, the general fund would be responsible for 100 percent of the difference between actual expenses and user fees for the Aquatic Center, which has been about $70,000 a year.

If the funds are not available from the Quality of Life finds, they would need to be absorbed in the general fund or expenses in the Parks and Recreation would need to be reduced.

But Livermore said he believes the intent of the voter-approved Question 18 money is not being honored.

The question said 40 percent of the revenue collected would go to acquiring open space, 40 percent to development of parks and trails, and 20 percent to operation and maintenance.

Everything went along fine until about three years ago when cost allocations started being made to other departments, he said.

"My bill would change the definition and eliminate cost allocations. As a supervisor, I voted against the budget last year because of these, and I'm just trying to protect the integrity of the (1996) vote," Livermore said.

"They're probably not doing anything illegal, because they got a DA's opinion, but I walked and knocked on doors for that question, and I knew that was not what the people intended. My bill is just trying to rectify what the voters intended, and if the city wants to discuss it, we can."

In other matters, supervisors and Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, acting as the Liquor and Entertainment Board, also will consider:

• Approving Paul Bonaldi as the liquor manager for an on-premise/packaged liquor license for Coco Dolce located at 1910 College Parkway. Ste. 130.

• Approving Jeff Smeath and John Small as the liquor managers for a beer/wine liquor license for the Golden Nickel, located at 444 E. William St.

The board of supervisors will reconvene at 5:30 p.m. to hear from 18 applicant organizations seeking funding assistance from the city's Community Support Services. The fiscal impact could be up to $401,000.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. Go to www.car

son.org to download an

agenda.

Other meetings this week:

The Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau meets at 4 p.m. Monday in the Sierra Room of the community center. The board is scheduled to:

• Take action to augment the Park Bond Capital Project Fund budget for $150,000 to cover the 1/8 percent sales tax shortfall for the V&T $15 million bond as approved in the January meeting.

• Take action to augment the V&T Enterprise Fund budget for income and expenses for the train from Jan. 1-June 30, 2011.

• Take action to augment the general fund budget for $22,500 to cover the grant from Carson City Redevelopment funds for the fall 2010 and summer 2011 Ghost Walks.

• Discuss the tentative budget for fiscal year 2011-12.

• Take action on a request for funding of sports tournaments by Joel Dunn of the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department.

The Carson City Cultural Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Sierra Room of the community center. The commission will:

• Continue a discussion on the development of a cultural strategic plan.

• Hear an update on the Greenhouse Project and the Flower Basket program.