HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0024.021 - Testimony - CA-9 - staff for PONC fund and Maintenance fundFrom: 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.
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Comm. No. 24.21