Testimony in support of 100% of Proposed SDC fees

Ted Schoenborn,

Member, Bend Park and Recreation District Budget Committee

New revenue needed to develop the facilities necessary to sustain the quality of services

- In approving the Budget for this fiscal year. The Budget committee discussed but ultimately decided not to borrow money to meet the increased demand for facilities caused by the growth of Bend.

- Existing taxes ($1.46 per thousand in 2001) will continue to support recreation programs and park maintenance.

- Approving the SDC charges at 100% of the recommended amount will help develop needed facilities and reduce the need to borrow money against existing programs and park maintenance.

Growth requires more parks, trails and fields

- As a member of the budget committee I commend your efforts to meet the needs of our growing community with increasing demand for facilities.

- Studies have shown that property values near parks are higher than equivalent property more distant.

- Higher property valuation resulting from proximity to facilities, parks, trails and fields developed as a result of increased SDC charges should more than help meet the new demands for recreation programs and park maintenance.

- Capital expenditures to develop parks, trails and fields will be needed before the increased property tax revenue from growth is available for new programs and maintenance.

SDC's fairly attribute the impact of growth to new construction.

- Increasing SDC charges is a fair approach to sustaining the quality of services and facilities.

- Facilities that already exist helped attract newcomers to Bend

- Increasing SDC charges will allow continuation of the standard established by the Park and Recreation District

SDC's have minimal impact on affordable housing

- As a member of the Board of Directors of the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity, I would like to address one other point, the impact of the proposed increased in SDC's on the cost of affordable housing. I have not discussed this with the Board.

- By my calculation this will add $12.25 per month to the cost of one of our homes. This is not significant in light of the rapidly increasing cost of building lots here in Bend.

- Recreation programs and park land are especially important to those lower income families that cannot afford membership in the fine private organizations here in Bend.

Adopt the recommendation to set the SDC fee at 100%

- It will generate new revenue without diminishing existing programs and maintenance.

- It is fair to both existing citizens and the new ones who move in and take advantage of our parks and recreation programs.

- It will allow for the continuation of existing programs and park maintenance without cutbacks and interruptions.

- It is not the most significant cost in developing affordable housing.