FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Fair Oaks residents recently voted on Measure J, a $26.9 million general obligation bond, which would give the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) the funds necessary to upgrade and renovate existing parks and acquire and develop land for new parks in the District. The language in the measure ensures that the funds can only be spent within the District on physical improvements to the parks. None of the money will go to increase District salaries.

Ralph Carhart is the current vice-chair of the FORPD board of directors. His term ends this year, and he ran for re-election on the November ballot. Carhart has thus far received the majority of votes, so a December vote by the FORPD board will likely result in Carhart’s appointment as board president, a term that will begin in January 2019.

According to Sacramento County’s office of Voter Registration and Elections, ballots for the November 6, 2018 General Election are still being processed and results are not final. Certified results will be reported by December 6, 2018. Of the ballots that have already been counted at the time of this writing, 67% are in favor of Measure J, so it is likely that the measure will pass.

Carhart said the District is “on pins and needles” waiting for the final results: “We are really hoping Measure J gets the necessary majority because otherwise it would take us 30 years to make the capital improvements in our Master Plan.” Because it is a bond measure, Measure J requires a two-thirds majority vote instead of a simple majority. Carhart explained that they wanted to put the proposal to the voters in this way to ensure the measure would only pass with solid local support.

Carhart said the District will use Measure J funds to begin some of their priority projects, such as repairing or replacing outdated restrooms, increasing safety in the parks by improving the lighting, and ensuring the parks are meeting all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Other major projects will include installing new softball fields at Phoenix Park and implementing the first phase of replacing McMillan Center in Fair Oaks Park. Carhart’s plan is to create additional recreation space at McMillan Center by building an initial replacement structure that can be expanded and added to in the coming years.

Carhart is also excited about a new four-acre park in Gum Ranch, north of Bella Vista High School, which should be ready by this time next year. Carhart explained that Elliott Homes is building the park as part of their construction of a new community in the area. To mitigate for the construction’s environmental impact, Elliott Homes will be planting an oak mitigation bank of approximately one acre adjacent to Arcade Creek. The District is in negotiations with Sacramento County to acquire the mitigation land along with approximately four acres of flood plain in the area. Carhart hopes to use Measure J funds to develop the land into an extensive nature and recreation area.

A new park on Swallow way is also in the plans for Measure J funds. The parcel has already been deeded to the District by Sacramento County, and Carhart said that neighbors in the area are anxious for development to get underway.

A local independent citizens’ oversight committee will be established to oversee the expenditure of Measure J funds and ensure transparency and accountability. Carhart explained that this committee is vital to ensuring that the District does not act unilaterally, but instead is spending the money on what the community wants to see for the future of Fair Oaks parks.