Many NVLSA members opposed the formation of the new District, Parks and Open Space, but voters approved it anyway, as Measure I.
NVLSA members argued that the new Parks and Open Space District would be initially funded by the Board of Supervisors from the General Fund, and that the District would then (as Measure I authorized) contract with the County Public Works Department to provide all its services, paying that same money back to the County for services rendered.
Under that scenario, there would be no need to create a new special District, as the County Public Works Department would be doing the work anyway. The most likely (unstated) reason for establishing a new special District would be the authority it would have under State law to eventually call a benefit assessment election to ensure its continued funding.
Benefit assessment elections don’t require the 2/3 majority that tax increases require under Proposition 13, and don’t require pro and con ballot arguments. Benefit assessment elections are conducted by mail, property owners vote in proportion to their proposed assessment, and the consultant that prints and mails all the promotional “educational” materials counts the ballots, all outside the public eye.
These end runs around Proposition 13 protections almost always succeed. So far, the District has not proposed such an election, but NVLSA believes it is only a matter of time before they do.