Lockeford voters may be asked to approve tax for park maintenance, security

The Lockeford Community Services District will consider placing a tax on the ballot next year to finance maintenance and security for a community park planned off Jack Tone Road.

Board member Chris Locke said initial estimates call for an annual tax of between $60 and $100 for the 14.5-acre park, to be built on Jack Tone Road south of the Lockeford Community Center. District officials are looking for the same tax amount regardless of the size of a resident's house or property.

The board will conduct an initial discussion at a meeting Thursday morning about the possible tax, which must be approved by taxpayers if it is to take effect. Those who would be billed are customers who receive water or sewer service from the Lockeford Community Services District.

Locke estimates that $60,000 to $75,000 will be needed annually for maintenance and security.

"This is all so ballparky and speculative," Locke said. "We don't have a master plan yet. When we do, we'll have a better idea of what our costs will be."

The idea of a tax was introduced in April 2008, but nothing concrete has happened until this week, when the board takes a serious look at the concept.

A sampling of opinion by the News-Sentinel on Tuesday indicates that residents are willing to pay a tax for a park, especially to ensure safety for the residents who use it.

"I wouldn't mind (paying a tax) if it would give children a safe haven and keep gangs out," Lockeford resident Dee Word said. "Lockeford has gangs here like everywhere else."

However, one resident near the park site on Jack Tone Road strongly opposed the tax proposal.

"I don't see what we're getting for our taxes right now," said the resident, who declined to give his name out of fear that his taxes would skyrocket for giving his anti-tax opinion.

"Taxes are a total ripoff of the people, and there is too much waste in government at all levels," the Jack Tone resident said. "We could get rid of 75 percent of all government."

Tentative plans for the four acres near Jack Tone Road include a soccer field, shaded picnic area, walking trails, a small turfed area and a concrete area for half-court basketball, skateboarding, roller blading and other activities. Two houses are on the property. One will probably be used for a park caretaker to live in; the other may become a senior center with a sheriff's substation.

Another 10 acres could include picnic areas, more trails, and areas to enjoy a seasonal vernal pool, horseshoe pits, blue oak trees and other animal habitat.

"We definitely we need to get the ratepayers educated," Locke said. "Community parks shouldn't be controversial — $5 or $8 per month shouldn't be too much."

The Lockeford Community Services District is ready to hire Callander Associates of Rancho Cordova to develop a full park master plan, but the board is waiting for San Joaquin County to deed four acres of the property to the district. The county purchased the four-acre section for $1.4 million in early 2008.

The four acres are needed to connect the Lockeford Community Center land with the 10 acres the district already owns. It would also allow vehicle access and parking.

The county Board of Supervisors was set to transfer the property to the Lockeford Community Services District in June, but board members postponed the transaction several times because the Board of Supervisors wants to issue conditions on the Lockeford district.

More information about the tax proposal

Information about a possible 2010 ballot measure to tax ratepayers in the Lockeford Community Services District for community park maintenance and security will be available at Thursday's district board meeting.

The board will conduct an initial discussion at 9 a.m. at the old Lockeford schoolhouse, 19456 N. Jack Tone Road.

Source: Lockeford Community Services District

Among the county's requirements for the Lockeford district:

Development of the four acres on Jack Tone Road must begin within five years after the property is transferred from the county to the Community Services District.

The district must complete the project within two years after construction begins, though it may request a five-year extension from the Board of Supervisors to complete the project.

Dan Miller, project manager for Callander Associates, said that the first phase of park construction could begin in late 2010 or early 2011, depending on how long approvals take.

It will take Callander about three months to complete the master plan once the Lockeford district gives Miller the green light to proceed, Miller said. Then construction documents must be prepared for whatever projects will be included in the first phase, he said. That would take another four to six months.

Locke said the district must do a diligent job if it wants voters to approve the maintenance and security tax.

"We need to go one on one, and directors need to go out to the neighborhoods," he said.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

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