WECRD board questioned sharply as it modifies plans

How much is this community center going to cost

can somebody please define,, what is a community center, what does that mean, community center?

and why should the tax payer pay for this

one full basketball court and a half basketball court. not enough. a track that is one-tenth of a mile long , nope won't work. a six-lane swimming pool that would be used to host swim meets, swim lessons and water aerobics. better idea

sounds like its trying to fit on that little bit of property,,,I really don't think tax payers are going for this community center thing.

Now if this was let say 4 basketball courts, 6 handball courts, two summing pools and a quarter mile outdoor track with tennis courts, then its a deal

AND

We should charge a "Fee",,,for upkeep

I suggest that people read the full article in the paper today. The WECRD did not even know that the land they purchased is in a flood plain and therefore and custruction has to meet done with that in mind. How could they purchase this land and not even know that? The paper easily verified this with a simple trip to the county offices. Second, now the board is going to hold more meetings but at a time when many of us have to work so we will not be able to attend.

When asked why the architects had not atteneded any of the meetings, the board did not even bother to respond. Once again when confronted, this board ignores the questions like they never existed.

The cost per square foot is highly debated. The proposed cost is $75 but the board cannot explain how that figure was obtained. Recent builind proposals, hospital and high school came in at $200 per square foot. That is a huge difference.

Now comes the issue of two fule tanks that will have to reloacted by the adjoining property owner. Does the WECRD have it in writing that he will do so at his expense as stated at the meeting? And what happens when he has to relocate these tanks to the opposite side of property and refuses to do so?

Lastly, I was at the city council meeting when it was announced that the WECRD was adding a multi-purpose room but that there would be no, I repeat, no additional costs. How do they plan on doing this?

The truth is the WECRD has no plan...it's still in draft AFTER EIGHT YEARS! They do have grand ideas based on data from 2000.

What they do not have is:

-Firm costs for construction or operation and maintenance (because they have no plan, and are basing construction costs on an unrealistic number from 2000.)

-Solid support from the business community (because they have no plan, and as envisioned early on, the community business support would provide $9M -- that did not happen because they have no plan.)

-Realistic revenue projections (because they have no plan, and expected pass sales are at least double what would be considered reasonable -- check with the Jerome Recreation District. They have about the same population and average income as ours.)

It's like them planning to take the entire community to Jamaica. How are you going to get us there? "I don't know". How are you going to pay to get us there? "I don't know". If we do get there, what are we going to do when we get there? "I don't know". If we do get there, how are you going to fund keeping us there doing whatever it is you plan but don't know what that plan is? "No comment". So with all of these unknowns, are we still going? "You bet"! Sounds ridiculous, right? Guess what, it is. We need something bigger than a six lane swimming pool to hold everything they don't know.

At the last monthly meeting members of the business community, local agencies, and citizens brought up concerns and refuted both the projected costs and revenues. They requested the district listen to them, and come together on a reasonable plan that would work. The best answer out of the WECRD was, "Duly noted". The lack of interest of what our community has to say does not inspire confidence.

Who voted Jana Borgnohthaus on to the Board of Directors?

2007 WECRD changed from a $34.50 annual per-household fee tax assessment...to a general tax levy assessment.

Rationale for change: real estate values had increased significantly since 2001[sic]

Barkingmad,

I could be wrong but I beleive the Ms. Marsh selected Ms. Borgnohthaus to fill the empty board seat. So much for seeking public input huh?

As for the taxes, don't forget that business were added into the mix with no vote. Also why if the rec center is for the entire county are only business and residents in Mt Home being taxed? I have wondered about that for a long time but have never received an answer.