Fate of $5M land bond is uncertain

This probably isn't a good year to ask voters for permission to issue $5 million in bonds to buy public land, Dorchester County Council members agree.

The Trust for Public Land recommended the figure to council this week based on a survey of 400 residents last fall; two-thirds said they would support paying that much to protect and improve land to improve water quality, natural areas, wildlife habitat and parks, according to Will Abberger, trust director of conservation finance.

The recommendation to ask voters for approval in November was moved to council's budget and finance committee, where its fate is uncertain because there's no push on council for it. Even if the question went to voters, finding wide support could be difficult among residents already hostile to property tax reassessment and other fee increases.

The recommendation comes on the heels of council members learning the county nearly has reached the limit of the $34 million bond debt it is allowed.

The state caps borrowing at 8 percent of the total assessed property value in a county; approval for anything above that percentage must come from the voters.

The county already is wrestling with state and sales tax shortfalls and trying to decide whether to charge controversial transportation impact fees.

Such a move also would come before the committee takes on a 2010-11 budget that is widely expect to cut even further a spending plan that was repeatedly slashed during the current fiscal year.

"The timing and the cost may be prohibitive," Councilman Bill Hearn said. "It's certainly a worthwhile project, but it comes at a time when we have a lot to do and not a lot of funds to do it."

Councilman Chris Murphy agreed that the timing isn't good because of the economy. If it is considered, he said, "I would want to assure the bulk of the money is spent for recreation opportunities. If that's something the voters want to decide, I don't have a problem with putting it up to referendum."

Council Chairman Jamie Feltner said it wouldn't be simply a vote whether to go to a referendum.

Other considerations include the burden it could put on property owners, its impact on the county's ability to leverage other funds and other "unintended consequences," he said. "If the public is interested, they'll be able to make that call."

Reach Bo Petersen at bpetersen@postandcourier.com or 937-5744.