Rec bond won't cost extra

Dear editor:

The Western Elmore County Recreation District is concerned with the information printed in the lead article Wednesday, March 26, 2008. The WECRD has received inquiries about the possibility of a bond, the amount of money collected, and expenditures for the past five years.

The WECRD Board of Directors has not voted to proceed with a bond election. Additional research, planning and public input are needed before a bond election decision is made. If the WECRD decides to pursue a bond election, voter approval will give the WECRD Board authority to use current tax revenues to fund the construction of the Mountain Home Community Center Complex (NMCCC). This action will not cause an increase in the current tax in on property.

The WECRD used a .0006 levy rate from 2001 to 2007 and only residential properties were taxed $34.50 per year. Taxes were levied in 2001, however the funds were not received until 2002. In August 2007, the WECRD Board voted to include non-residential properties with the residential properties at the new .0005 levy rate.

Based on these tax revenues according to the FY07 independent audit performed by HCM Holmstead, WECRD has a total asset value of $1.1 million, which includes land and savings. This audit is for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2007, and does not include revenue from 2007 tax collections.

Over the past five years the WECRD Board has kept operating costs extremely low because of dedicated volunteer assistance. General expenses are for office rent and equipment, salaries for one full-time and one part-time employee, legal fees and technical support. The elected WECRD Directors are not paid.

The federal appropriations mentioned in Wednesday's article has been approved but has not yet been sent to the WECRD.

The WECRD Board meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at Mountain Home City Hall. These public meetings begin at 7 p.m. For public comments and questions the WECRD Board will open the April 23 meeting at 6 p.m. Future dates include: May 28, June 25, July 23. The WECRD office number is 580-2377.

WECRD directors

Doug Belt

Mollie Marsh

Dee Pate