Palmdale Weighs Tax Measure to Build Recreation Center

After hearing the results of a survey of city residents, Palmdale officials said Wednesday they plan to pursue an April ballot measure asking voters to accept higher taxes to build an elaborate recreation complex.

A polling firm hired by the city presented its findings during a 90-minute closed-door meeting that included members of a citizens group backing the complex and city officials including the city administrator, economic development director and finance director.

The officials barred reporters from attending and later said they had no written results.

But Palmdale Director of Parks and Recreation John Lasagna, one of about 25 people at the session, said participants were encouraged by the survey’s findings. And Lasagna said the Palmdale City Council likely will be asked at its December meeting to authorize a ballot measure.

The original proposal called for a 100,000-square-foot complex covering at least a 10-acre site at a cost of up to $20 million. But in the wake of the survey, which turned up resistance to such an expensive project, Lasagna said city officials may aim for a less costly proposal, possibly $10 million, in hopes of winning greater voter support.

The $15,000 telephone survey by the Wirthlin Group of Irvine asked 400 registered voters in Palmdale whether they would favor a $20-million bond measure to build the complex, Lasagna said. It would be paid off by 25 years of higher taxes.

Such a ballot measure would require a two-thirds vote of approval. When those surveyed were first asked, less than two-thirds said they would support the measure, Lasagna said. But he added that the figure was close, somewhere between 60% and 66%.

At the end of the 26-question survey, after hearing more details, voters were again asked their views. And, Lasagna said, more than 70% of those surveyed voiced general support for the ballot measure. But neither question mentioned the cost to taxpayers.

City officials have estimated that a $20-million complex could cost the typical family about $11 a month in higher taxes, while a complex costing half as much would involve about a $6 monthly increase. The survey also asked voters about their willingness to pay those amounts.

Lasagna said he could not say whether any of the dollar figures mentioned, from $6 a month on up, got a two-thirds level of support. He said only, “For the $6 and $7 figures, there was good support. When we got to $8, $9, $10 and $11, it went down dramatically.”

Residents have long complained about the shortage of park space in Palmdale, the fastest-growing city in California. The citizens group backing the complex, the Palmdale Arts and Recreation Committee, argues that it will keep youngsters off the streets.

The city has no specific proposal for the recreation complex, but the concept under discussion would make it the largest in the Antelope Valley, possibly including a gymnasium, theater, indoor pool, ice-skating rink and racquetball, tennis and basketball courts.

Lasagna defended the city decision to bar reporters from the meeting at the city’s Palmdale Cultural Center, even though citizens, school district and building industry officials were invited. “The information being talked about at this point we feel is sensitive,” Lasagna said.

He said the city expects to receive the consultant’s report by next week. He said the city is considering financing the center either through a property tax increase or creation of a special assessment district.