BALLOT STATEMENT SUMMARIES

Proposition No. 1: Shall the Kenai Peninsula Borough be authorized to exercise recreation powers, by funding capital improvement projects and capital equipment purchases, in the Kenai Peninsula Borough South Peninsula Recreation Service Area, within the service area boundaries defined by Ordinance 99-71?

            YES [A yes vote authorizes the Borough to exercise recreation powers in the Service Area]

            NO [A no vote prohibits the exercise of recreation powers in the Service Area by the Borough]

On July 6, 1999, the Borough Clerk received a petition for the establishment of a recreation service area in the South Peninsula. The petition was certified by the Clerk and forwarded to the Mayor on July 21, 1999. Subsequently, the Mayor made his report to the Assembly regarding the need for the service area and the assessed valuation of the property in the proposed service area. Following receipt of this report, the Assembly conducted two public hearings within the boundaries proposed for the service area. The first hearing was conducted in the City of Homer, where the vast majority of those testifying spoke in favor of the proposal. The second hearing was in Anchor Point where the proposal generated widespread opposition. Based on this opposition, the Assembly elected to modify the proposed boundaries of the service area to eliminate the Anchor Point area. (See map below for current service area boundaries.)

On January 18, 2000, the Assembly enacted Ordinance 99-71 (Substitute), establishing the Kenai Peninsula Borough South Peninsula Recreation Service Area and calling for a Special Election to be conducted on April 11, 2000, to determine if the voters wish to authorize the Borough to exercise recreation powers within the boundaries set forth in the ordinance. If Proposition No. 1 is approved by the voters on April 11, the elected service area board of directors will have the authority, subject to Assembly approval and the appropriation of funds, to construction and improve facilities and to acquire associated capital equipment to provide recreational services and transportation to the facilities within the service area. Applicants for service area funds must demonstrate an ability to operate and maintain the facility or equipment for which borough funding is sought. Service area funds may not be used to operate or maintain any recreational facilities or equipment, but may fund maintenance to preserve the value of an asset in the absence of an operator.

A yes vote on this proposition indicates your approval of the proposal to provide recreational services in your area. A no vote on this proposition indicates your opposition to the Borough providing recreational services in your area.

This proposition must be approved by a separate majority vote of voters in the City of Homer, Kachemak City and the areas of the service area outside of the cities in order to pass. If the City Councils in Homer and Kachemak City agree by ordinance to be included in the proposed service area prior to April 11, 2000, separate approval of the voters in each of the areas indicated above is not required, and instead approval by a majority of the qualified voters voting throughout the service area is required.

 

Proposition No. 2: Except for special assessments within an improvement district, shall the South Peninsula Recreation Service Area be limited to a maximum of one-half (0.5) mills?

                YES [A yes vote indicates your desire to cap the service area mill levy at 0.5 mills]

                NO [A no vote indicates your opposition to a mill levy cap of 0.5 mills]

Proposition No. 2 seeks voter opinion on the amount of taxes to be levied in support of the South Peninsula Recreation Service Area. This is an advisory vote only. However, it is the intent of the Assembly at this time to limit the tax levy for this service area to a maximum of one-half (0.5) mills if that is the desire of the voters in the service area. It is estimated that one-half mills will generate approximately $200,000 in tax revenues annually.

A yes vote advises the Assembly that you wish to cap the service area mill levy at one-half mills. A no vote advises the Assembly that you oppose capping the mill levy in the service area.