Results of survey on parcel tax revealed

A plan to ask Petaluma voters to pay a parcel tax to improve local recreation facilities will get its first public airing Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the city's Park and Recreation Commission.

A grassroots community group, Petaluma Friends of Recreation came together in 2009 around a common vision of improving the quality of parks and recreation in Petaluma, said co-chairperson Carol Eber. After two years of searching for the best way to help pay for long unfunded projects listed as key by city officials, last year the group commissioned Godbe Research of San Mateo to conduct a targeted survey that would assess potential voter support for a parcel tax that would raise money to maintain and upgrade recreational facilities.

The $15,000 survey, funded by donations from individuals and groups that included soccer, lacrosse and baseball players and swimmers of all ages, was designed to identify the optimum tax rate voters would be likely to support, according to Eber.

A 15-minute telephone survey conducted in May, 2011 reached 300 registered voters in the city, Eber said, representing 25,972 likely voters in November 2012. Of the total number surveyed, 56 percent have lived in Petaluma more than 15 years. The age ranges with the greatest representation included 22 percent in the 40-49 range, 37 percent in the 50-64 range and 21 percent 65 and older. About 19 percent of the people surveyed were in the 18 to 39 range.

Based on the survey results and a recommendation from the researchers, the group wants to put a citizen initiative on the November ballot that proposes to raise at least $12 million by a $52 annual residential parcel tax levied over a 10 to 15 year period. A bond issue supported by tax revenues is being considered as a way to get the necessary funding for eight projects identified by the city and supported by survey results, Eber said.

"The projects that showed the most support in the survey included upgrading and making safety improvements at playgrounds and parks, making parks and facilities handicap accessible, trails on the river and improvements at Cavanagh center," Eber said.

A range of tax rates was tested in the survey, Eber added. About 63 percent of those surveyed supported a $68 per parcel rate, she said, indicating that affordability is key to a successful initiative.

The $52 per parcel rate being proposed is lower than what the survey indicated most voters would accept, said Bill Sullivan, PFOR treasurer.

Petaluma Mayor David Glass said it is not clear whether the group plans to petition the Petaluma City Council to put the measure on the November ballot, but added that he favors a signature-gathering effort, which would require the council to put the measure before the voters. Enough signatures from local voters indicates good support in the community, he added. "If the community will lead," Glass said, "their leaders will follow."

Some of the projects listed by the group are being partially addressed, said Petaluma City Council member Mike Healy. (See sidebar for project list and projected costs) Some improvements to the Petaluma swim center are funded by a loan from PG&E and some upgrades to the same facility have been promised by the developers of a shopping center nearby. Even so, Healy offered his support for the efforts of the group. "It is heartening to see anyone trying to achieve anything positive in this environment. I wish them well."

Former park commissioner and cofounder of PFOR, Mark Ferguson, said that despite the city's best efforts last year's parks budget was "the lowest we've ever seen. Even in good times the city budget did not allow us to do everything we'd like to do."

In response to concerns expressed in the survey, PFOR plans to draft an initiative that specifies that none of the money raised will be used for administrative salaries. An independent oversight committee of local citizens will monitor the funds to insure they are spent on parks and recreation facilities, she added.

"Local control over local funds for local needs also resonated with those surveyed," she said.

(Contact Marsha Trent at argus@arguscourier.com)