SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1355
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,
MARCH 31, 1993
Brief Description: Increasing nonvoter‑approved debt limit for metropolitan park districts.
SPONSORS: Representatives R. Fisher, Brough, R. Meyers, Edmondson, H. Myers and Van Luven
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Owen, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.
Staff: Barbara Howard (786‑7410)
Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993; March 31, 1993
BACKGROUND:
Metropolitan park districts are authorized to finance park and recreation facilities by imposing regular property taxes of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation without voter approval.
A metropolitan park district may also incur nonvoter-approved general indebtedness, and issue general obligation bonds, in an amount equal to one-eighth of 1 percent of the value of taxable property in the district. It has been suggested that the debt limit be increased.
SUMMARY:
The amount of nonvoter-approved general indebtedness that a metropolitan park district may incur is increased to an amount equal to one quarter of 1 percent of the value of taxable property in the district.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
Our metropolitan park district has one of the lowest nonvoter debt limits of any local jurisdiction in the state. Increasing it to 1/4 of 1 percent would give us considerably more flexibility, especially in maintaining our A rating from the bond rating agencies. We have been prudent fiscal managers, and do the best we can to see that user fees cover facility cost to the greatest possible extent. We also provide a special benefit to local residents by offering a resident pass at a lower admission fee.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Peter Norman, President, Board of Park Commissioners (pro); Wayne Fanshier, Manager, Park District (pro)