Irvine : Decision Expected on Parks Bond Issue

The City Council will decide tonight whether to approve a special bond issue that would raise $57.5 million to improve the city’s parks and recreation facilities.

If passed by citizens in a March 6 vote, the bond issue would levy annual city taxes of $120 per household. This would mark the biggest and most comprehensive parks bond issue in county history, Mayor Larry Agran said.

The tax would be effective in the 1990-91 tax year.

“The city has worked long and hard in order to put this into order, and it ensures Irvine’s residents that there will be proper facilities and open space for Irvine,” he said. “This will be the second parks bond measure to take place in Irvine since it was incorporated” in 1971.

It was a little more than 16 years ago that the newly incorporated city approved a $16-million parks bond measure. That plan was the park development blueprint for a community now known for planning. Unlike its predecessor, the latest proposed bond issue would provide money for maintenance and operation of the city’s parks.

Last June the council endorsed an initial “wish list” of parks programs. Among those to be included were park improvements, additions and maintenance, bike and running paths, a senior center, a fine arts center and a gymnasium.

Once the measure receives council approval, a public hearing will be held on the financing of the bond issue. The hearing will take place sometime in November, according to Bernar Strojny, director of administrative services, who wrote the plan.