Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
November 1, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
Marysville levees want off ‘bad boy’ list; Commissioners considering November ’08 election to update assessments
Marysville Appeal Democrat – 10/30/07
By Nancy Pasternack, staff writer
The Marysville Levee District’s 20-year-old benefit assessment has cleared the first hurdle toward an update.
A new assessment would likely mean that previously exempt property owners adjacent to levees would receive a tax bill in the 2009-10 tax year.
At a special meeting Tuesday, commissioners voted to hire consultants to reassess the tax value of properties in the commission area.
The consultants also would be responsible for estimating costs associated with levee upgrades and maintenance, and for preparing a ballot measure for voters to ratify terms of the assessment.
“Nobody wants to raise taxes,” said District Superintendent Frank Miller, “but we don’t have enough funds or manpower.”
In March, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey found that the district had an “unacceptable” maintenance deficiency.
The primary issue, Miller said, is a section of levee overgrown with invasive trees. The corps requires that the trees be removed, or that steps be taken to eradicate the problem.
Earlier this month, Miller received notice from the corps that Marysville is one of five levee districts ineligible for post-disaster financial assistance because of its failure to correct or to submit correction plans to fix the source of the “deficiency” rating.
The district is eligible to receive flood fighting assistance to protect life and property, “in the event state and local resources are overwhelmed,” in an emergency, according to the corps letter.
Commission President Pat Ajuria said he hopes the move toward a new benefit assessment – and its potential to increase district funding – will help “get us off the bad boy list.”
The assessment plan is expected to cost between $100,000 and $200,000, and will go out to bid early in November.
District officials hope to have the new assessment completed in time to run on November 2008 ballots. #
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