Measure U
Overview
Contact
Stuart Brown
Recreation Manager
437 Old Mammoth Rd.
Suite R
Mammoth Lakes,
CA
93546
Ph: (760) 934-8989 ext. 210
Fx: (760) 934-7093
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Measure U or “Mammoth Lakes Mobility, Recreation and Arts & Culture Utility Users Tax Ordinance” was adopted by the Mammoth Lakes Town Council on March 17, 2010, and approved by the voters of the Town of Mammoth Lakes on June 8, 2010.
The Ordinance states: “On or after July 1, 2011 all proceeds of the tax and imposed hereunder shall be accounted for and paid into a special fund designated for use by the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and used only for the following purposes: Planning, construction, operation, maintenance, programming and administration of facilities and projects for Mobility, Recreation and Arts & Culture. Such tax proceeds shall not supplant existing funds used for the purposes set forth above.”
Review the Measure U Applicant Information Packet, details of the Measure U Application Process and the 2012 Measure U spring "Test" Award.
2012 Measure U Fall Award Postponed
Due to insufficient Measure U funds available for award in December, Town Council directed staff to convene the Measure U Application Committee to draft a new timeline for a spring award, and determine an award amount (cap) for appropriation.
This item will be added to the October 16, 2012 meeting of the Measure U Application Committee, and be returned to Town Council on November 7, 2012 for consideration.
Intent of Measure U
The Mammoth Lakes Town Council reaffirmed the intent of Measure U that includes expenditures to enhance Mobility, Recreation and Arts & Culture. Some of the examples for funding are listed below (in no particular order):
- Operating a performing arts center (O&M)
- Providing Transit service for special events
- Enhancing recreation needs
- Establishing event venues (both indoor and outdoor)
Measure U Steering Committee
On July 6, 2011, Town Council formed the Measure U Steering Committee, and authorized the Town Manager to contract with Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) to facilitate the process to develop a supplanting policy, and Measure U funding recommendations. On February 15, 2012, Town Council approved the Measure U funding process recommendations.
The Town Council appointed Measure U Steering Committee included the following individuals:
Rich Boccia Mammoth Unified School District
Bill Sauser Recreation Commission
Jim Smith Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Bill Taylor Mammoth Lakes Foundation
Joyce Turner Mammoth Lakes Events Coalition
John Vereuck Mobility Commission
John Wentworth MLTPA
Pat Agnitch Alternate, Recreation Commission
Mark Deeds Alternate, Mammoth Events Coalition
Supplanting Policy
The Town Council charged the Steering Committee with the development of a supplanting policy recommendation. The essence of the policy was that Measure U funds - in addition to funding new projects and programs - may be used to enhance existing or current efforts. Town Council approved the following policy recommendations on February 15, 2012.
Supplanting Policy Recommendation:
- Measure U funds can be used to enhance and improve existing efforts including planning, construction, operations, maintenance, programming and administration of facilities and projects for mobility, recreation and arts & culture.
- Measure U proceeds are not intended to be used for any purpose where they replace municipal sources that were lost or removed as a direct or indirect result of Town of Mammoth Lakes actions.
- The date of the Measure U initiative (June 8, 2010) approved by voters serves as the baseline date for determining supplanting.
Prioritization of Funding
It is the intent of Town Council and the Measure U Steering Committee / Application Committee to allocate funds to capital related projects for infrastructure and capacity building. Funds could also be allocated for programming (non-capital) and operations and maintenance.
The use of a ratio to allocate funds among the three areas (mobility, recreation and arts & culture) or categories (capital, non-capital and O&M) of funding was not recommended. Rather, funding of projects will be based on aligning with priorities and goals as established by the Town and the overall feasibility of a proposed project. Feasibility studies will be required for ‘top tier’ projects (see definition in Appendix) in order to clearly identify the level of funding required for the life of a project (lifecycle costs).
Measure U funds do not need to be spent each year. If none of the applications submitted in the funding cycle align with goals of the Town or through the prioritization process are not determined as ‘top tier’, then funds may not be awarded.
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