El Dorado County's rural Georgetown Divide Recreation District seeks to tap new development for funds to build recreational facilities.
The district, which serves approximately 13,500 residents in small communities scattered across the northern part of the county from Cool to Quintette, proposes to join the more urban communities of El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park in collecting park impact fees for new homes built in the district.
General Manager Carl Clark said district directors are sensitive to the building industry's current struggles and plan to implement the fee in phases over five years, beginning in January. Under the schedule presented to the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, the fee for a new single-family home would increase from $1,000 in 2010 to $4,245 in 2014.
Clark said the funds would be used only for specific capital projects, not to cover operating expenses. They include a swimming pool, recreation center and expanded picnic facilities, as well as trails and an equestrian area.
The fee would help pay for facilities to serve the approximately 2,800 new residents expected by 2027. Current residents will be asked to pay their share through an assessment that likely will be put to voters in 2011, Clark said. A survey indicated that residents would support an annual assessment of $19, he said.
The park impact fee requires county Board of Supervisors' approval. The board postponed action for one week, requesting updated revenue forecasts and a list of other building-related fees.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 773-6866.
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