Comm No 0021.034 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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From: Waterhouse, Lynn <lynwater@tcnj.edu> Sent: Monday, December 31, 2018 12:56 PM To: Charter Commission NO to Communication 21 for Charter Amendment 7: To GUT the 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM by: 1. Reducing the amount deposited in the 2% Land Fund from 2% (approximately $5 million) to 34% of property taxes,( which is approximately $1.5 million per year) Remember the Land Fund was approved 3 times by 63% of voters. 2. Removing the Maintenance Fund from the charter and placing it in the Code where the County council and Mayor can hack away at the program and amount at each council meeting. Remember the 2% Land Fund had deposits suspended for two years when Mayor Kenoi took office which is why we wanted it in the Charter, where it can only be changed by a vote of the people. 3. Deleting the clause that says that the 2% Lands CANNOT be sold mortgaged or transferred in any way. This will limit matching fund sources. Why would donors want to contribute if the Mayor or Council can sell these lands and put the money in the General Fund? Mayor Kim said he wanted to sell the lands because we cannot care for them? Huh? We have a Maintenance Fund! YES to Communication 24 for Charter Amendment 9: Proposal to strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program by using 2% Land Fund monies to fund a staff position in the Department of Finance to work ONLY on the 2% Land Fund Program for acquisitions, obtaining matching funds and assisting with stewardship grants. We propose that a dedicated staff person who works ONLY on the 2% Land Fund program will get more properties purchased and acquire more matching funds. Remember that 180 properties have been proposed and only 14 properties have been acquired, since 2006. There is currently $16 million in the fund and much more can be done to actively pursue more properties. A dedicated staff will be able to assist the non -profits who care for these lands in their communities to acquire stewardship grants. Comm. No. 21.34