As reported by the Sacramento Bee, the county will move forward with the plan to turn over management of the park to a forprofit entity.
It is heartening to see innovation and creativity become part of the mix of local parks management.
An excerpt from the Bee article.
“Sacramento County supervisors voted Tuesday to move forward on a deal that would turn over Gibson Ranch to a private developer, rejecting the option of opening up the process for more proposals.
“The vote means former congressman and real-estate developer Doug Ose will take over the now-closed property near Elverta, unless the county and Ose can't agree on the particulars of a contract.
“Ose said he hopes to sign an agreement with the county by February and reopen Gibson Ranch by April 1. The county closed the park earlier this year because of budget problems.
“Supervisors endorsed the tentative agreement reached so far by Ose and interim County Executive Steve Szalay: Ose will lease the 345-acre historic property for $1 a year. In exchange, he must maintain the ranch, keep it open to the public and provide services.
“The county will pay $100,000 a year in deferred maintenance costs.
“Remaining to be decided: What penalties will Ose face if he fails to deliver and what kinds of services will be provided at the ranch. Szalay said the county could end the agreement at any time.
“Supervisors voted 4-1 to direct Szalay to bring back a final agreement, handing Supervisor Phil Serna his first defeat during his first meeting on the board. Serna, who replaced Supervisor Roger Dickinson, voted against the agreement, saying the county should reopen the process for more proposals.”
