Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Levy committee takes the reins

Board will help decide how to spend levy funds


By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Members of the newly constituted Land, Water and Wildlife Levy Advisory Board are beginning to take charge of managing Blaine County property taxes dedicated to preserving private open space in the county.

In November 2008, Blaine County voters approved a Land, Water and Wildlife Levy to raise public funding for the preservation of valuable wildlife habitat and working farms and ranches. The vote also stipulated creation of a levy advisory board to help manage the $3.45 million estimated to be raised from property taxes over two years.

The County Commissioners will have the final say on how to spend the levy funds.

The nine-member citizens' oversight committee began meeting Oct. 1. It also held two "boot camp" sessions in early November to learn more about the public process under which the levy program will be managed, a news release from the county states.

The advisory board members were appointed by the County Commission in late August. They are:

· Barb Acker, who has worked with the Hailey Parks and Lands Board.

· Mary Austin Crofts, former executive director of the Blaine County Recreation District.

· Trent Jones, former Hailey P&Z commissioner.

· Wendy Pabich, president of Water Futures Inc.

· Tom Page, a resident of Hailey and board member of the Idaho Conservation League.

· Alan Reynolds, former Blaine County Commissioner.

· Lili Simpson, Blaine County P&Z commissioner.

· Ben Sinnamon, an expert in environmental law, land use and conservation finance.

· Trent Stumph, with Sawtooth Environmental Consulting of Hailey.

At the board's last meeting on Nov. 19, Chair Alan Reynolds, Vice Chair Tom Page and Secretary Lili Simpson officiated over the proceedings.

The board is scheduled to meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the Old Blaine County Courthouse. The meetings are open to the public. Meeting agendas can be found on the county Web site.

Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com




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