May 6, 2011
OPEN LETTER TO THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
In relation to the May 4, 2011 story in the Sacramento Bee about your possibly considering asking voters to raise the sales tax to pay for a regional park district, we would offer—not a proposal for all of the regional parks—but a proposal for the largest, the American River Parkway.
We propose that you spearhead the formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) comprised of the adjacent governments, and the JPA creates a new nonprofit organization to provide daily management and supplemental fundraising for the Parkway.
We have offered details on this strategy—including sample agreement language and JPA membership composition—on our website.
The Parkway is a signature park, with a national reputation, and, by conducting a nationwide search for the appropriate executive director of the nonprofit, you will be able to discover someone with the experience and talent to take the American River Parkway into the future with secure and dedicated funding.
This, of course, will eventually provide more available funding for the other parks in the regional parks department.
Sincerely,
Michael Rushford,President
Kristine Lea, Board Officer
David H. Lukenbill,Board Officer
Rebecca Garrison, Board Member
