Title
a. Support approving an increase in appropriations of $15,000 in the FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget for Resource Management Agency County Service Area No. 66 - Oak Tree Views Fund 087-3000-8198-6835-RMA083 to pay for additional open space mowing, fence repair and tree removal work (4/5th vote required); and
b. Support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget for Resource Management Agency County Service Area No. 66 - Oak Tree Views RMA Appropriation Unit 8198, RMA083 to increase appropriations in the amount of $15,000 where the Resource Management Agency RMA083 Unassigned Fund Balance of $15,000 is the financing source to balance the appropriation increase.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a. Support approving an increase in appropriations of $15,000 in the FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget for Resource Management Agency County Service Area No. 66 - Oak Tree Views Fund 087-3000-8198-6835-RMA083 to pay for additional open space mowing, fence repair and tree removal work (4/5th vote required); and
b. Support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget for Resource Management Agency County Service Area No. 66 - Oak Tree Views RMA Appropriation Unit 8198, RMA083 to increase appropriations in the amount of $15,000 where the Resource Management Agency RMA083 Unassigned Fund Balance of $15,000 is the financing source to balance the appropriation increase.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Board of Supervisors, acting on behalf of County Service Area 66 - Oak Tree Views (CSA 66) passed and adopted Agreement A-07513 with Oak Tree Housing on September 9, 1997, to establish the circumstances and conditions under which CSA 66 is to provide property-related services within the Oak Tree Views Subdivision. CSA 66 is responsible for maintenance of streets, streetlights, open space, tot lot, and drainage facilities. The agreement also authorizes CSA 66 to levy an annual fee or charge in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per lot. The current annual assessment is $408.96.
Residents of CSA 66 have brought to the attention of staff concerns regarding trees in the open space that have died or appear to create a safety hazard for some of the residential units. A branch has recently fallen from a tree located on County property and caused minor damage to a fence located on private residential property. Although no formal claim was filed with the County, the property owner was assured that the tree would be removed and that the fence would be repaired. Tree removal and fence repair projects of this type fluctuate greatly from year to year, with many past years involving no such costs.
Mowing of open space is required to minimize fire hazard from excessive growth of weeds and wild grass. Mowing was done at the beginning of the FY 2014-15 and at least one additional mowing is recommended prior to the end of FY 2014-15 for fire safety reasons. Growth has occurred due to recent rains and by May, the accumulated growth will be dry and will constitute a fire hazard. The area to be mowed surrounds the Oak Tree Views subdivision as shown on the attached map.
The additional open space mowing, fence repair, and tree removal work is estimated to be $15,000 in excess of what current appropriations will accommodate. There are sufficient reserves to cover the costs of this action.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 10, 2015.
FINANCING:
There is no current impact to the General Fund. The costs will be financed by the CSA 66 (Oak Tree Views Fund 087-3000-8198-6835-RMA083) from Unappropriated Fund Balance. Appropriating $15,000 from Unappropriated Fund Balance will leave a remaining fund balance of $46,026, representing a 25% reduction. The resulting Unappropriated Fund Balance is approximately 2.6 times the annual operating budget for CSA 66.
Prepared by: Edward Muniz, Management Analyst II
Approved by:
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Robert K. Murdoch, P.E., Director of Public Works
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Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting RMA Director
Dated: January 26, 2015
Attachments: Agreement A-07513; FY 15 Projected Budget; Budget Increase Needs; Location of Open Space Mowing Area; Location Map