The Marietta City Council is talking about putting a $30 million parks bond referendum on the November ballot.
Supporters of the measure know the idea is a risky one during hard economic times. The council would be asking voters to raise their taxes to pay off the bonds.
"I think it's a gamble to put it out at any time," council member Holly Walquist said. "But we have heard from many, many residents over the last two years that they want improvements to our parks."
The decision would be a hard call for any area municipality. Marietta has 19 parks, two recreation centers and two sports complexes to serve about 67,000 people. The council has discussed the bond issue for more than a year and a half, ever since a consultant produced a draft master plan for the park system.
The council has basically agreed $25 million would be spent on improvements and $5 million on purchasing parkland, Mayor Bill Dunaway said. But specifics, such as what land would be purchased or how much would be spent on each park, have not been nailed down.
If a 20-year bond passes, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an extra $26.86 yearly in city taxes. Walquist said there's a chance the council could make it a 30-year bond.
On Aug. 12, the council will decide whether to put the referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. Dunaway said most of the council supports that idea, despite the economic climate.
"I know we won't have a chance of getting better parks in the next few years if it's not on the referendum," said Dunaway, who retires from office in December. "I look upon a parks bond referendum as my legacy."
Walquist said this is a good time for the bond because the city could negotiate good deals on land.
But council member Philip Goldstein doesn't even want the question on the ballot.
"While I support the concept of a parks bond, given the state of the economy and the [possibility] of many of the city's taxpayers being negatively affected by the economy, I cannot support something that will result in a tax increase at this time," Goldstein said in an e-mail.
Cobb County voters approved $40 million parks bond referendums in 2006 and 2008. The last time the Marietta City Council put a bond referendum on the ballot was in 1995. The council hasn't increased the tax millage rate since 2003.
The referendum would add a new element to city elections, since every council seat and the mayor's post also will be on the November ballot. There will be no federal or state races to distract Marietta voters.
Some council members are taking a nuanced stance.
Annette Lewis favors putting the referendum on the ballot. She's not sure she supports the bond idea itself and certainly not until she knows more details.
"I know with the economy, now may be a bad time," Lewis said. "That said, we have an election in November that's already there. I believe our public has a right to say if it's a right or a wrong time."
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