Supervisors put parcel tax for parks on ballot

The Santa Cruz County Supervisors unanimously voted to put an $8.50 parcel tax on the June ballot to help continue to maintain county parks in the unincorporated parts of the county.
The on June 3 tax initiative will go to voters who reside in the unincorporated portions of Santa Cruz County that fall outside of recreation and park districts. For example, Boulder Creek residents who fall within Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District will not vote on the measure.
If passed by a 2/3 vote, the parcel tax would generate approximately $355,000 to help fund County park maintenance, operations and programs. The new parcel tax would replace the $6.58 parcel tax that will expire at the end of the 2013 – 2014 fiscal year.
County Parks maintains 59 parks, beach access and open space areas encompassing more than 1,400 acres in the county. The parks system also provides after school programs, swim lessons, art and science enrichment, senior programming and sports leagues for children. The staff also oversees the County’s Public Art Program.
In the San Lorenzo Valley, the county maintains Michael Gray Memorial Field, Ben Lomond Park, Wilder Hall and the Ben Lomond Library, Felton Covered Bridge Park, Highlands Park, Quail Hollow Ranch, the undeveloped 410-acre Miller Property off Kings Creek Road in Boulder Creek and the Pace Family Wilderness near the Ben Lomond Transfer Station.
For information about County Parks, visit www.scparks.com.