Thursday, July 19, 2007

Petition circulating for rec. commission in 340

by Clarke Davis

An exploratory committee to establish a recreation commission in the Jefferson West district is now collecting signatures on a petition to cause an election.

The committee met in January and February after Superintendent Scott Myers was given the go-ahead to establish a citizens’ committee to explore the idea.

Myers had seen the benefits of establishing a recreation commission in another community and brought the idea to the school board.

The committee gave the school board a positive report in March, at which time it was decided to try and get the necessary signatures on a petition.

“They need 175 signatures,” Myers said. “Once that petition is presented to the board clerk, an election is required.” They hope to have them collected by late August.

It will be up to the school board to set a date for the election. Myers said November would be a best guess at this point.

Board clerk Amy Adams-Mitchell has received one petition with 75 names on it and knows others are still being circulated.

A recreation commission is defined by state law and is a taxing entity starting out with a 1-mill levy.

Once established, the funding is passed through the school district budget to a five-member board. Four of the board members are appointed by the school board and they in turn picked a fifth member.

Besides the 1 mill, which raises about $35,000 in the district, a recreation commission can charge fees, obtain grants, and acquire other funds. The levy can be raised to a maximum of 4 mills, but each raise is subject to a protest petition.

The committe is not focusing on the sports world as the purpose for the commission and it would not be used to enhance the sports programs that are now in place in the district, Myers said.

The focus is on two objectives: 1) an outreach program to all the residents in the districts for a broad range of adult classes and activities; and 2) programs and activities for the children outside the school day.

That’s the philosophy at this time, however, once established, the five-member recreation commission board is autonomous.

“It’s hard to imagine that this board would not represent the wishes of the district,” Myers said.