Logo courtesy of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - At the July 15 meeting of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors, the board considered using $43,874 in dedication fees for the Old Library Renovation project. 

The board initially approved renovations to the Old Fair Oaks Library building as part of the fiscal year 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and carried over the funding allocation to 2026–27. The initial scope of work included a roof replacement, HVAC upgrades and minor interior renovations.

The roof repairs have already been completed, however site investigations identified pervasive mold issues and lead paint that should be remediated. The board previously mentioned the possibly of selling the property rather than putting more funding into these repairs. 

The original project budget was $191,400.00. Actual expenditures on the project currently total $76,032. New District Administrator Aaron Robertson said by adjusting the scope of work to remove some of the interior renovations, the total expected project cost will be $119,906. 

The proposed remaining scope of work totals $43,874, with $8,452 for mold, $14,519 for repairs and $20,902 to purchase and install the HVAC. 

Staff recommended transferring the total cost from the Dedication Fees Account, with has an available balance of $380,504, so it would not impact the General Fund. 

Robertson said he wouldn’t recommend selling the property at this time, because staff currently use it as a workspace and the sale would need public input because it’s a historic building in Fair Oaks. He recommended completing these remediations and looking at future options for the building during the review of the district’s Master Plan. 

Director Ralph Carhart said historic buildings are “touchstones to the past,” he if they did sell, he would want to ensure it went to a public use. 

Vice Chair Darren Mounts said he would like to retain the property, if possible, since it’s located in the heart of the village. 

Chair Raymond James Irwin said he doesn’t think it’s fiscally prudent to put more money into the building that doesn’t currently serve a community need. 

During public comment, one resident said, “Doing the renovations shows that we’re being good stewards of the assets that we have” and demonstrates transparency and integrity. 

The board voted to approve the funding for the recommended repairs and discuss future uses or possible sale during the next Master Plan review. 

The board held a public hearing regarding the continued assessments for fiscal year 2026-27 for the Fair Oaks Parks Maintenance and Recreation Improvement District, the Phoenix Field Landscape and Lighting Assessment District and the Gum Ranch Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District. 

The Fair Oaks Parks Maintenance and Recreation Improvement District serves all residents of the district and includes all properties located within district boundaries. The assessment is $48.04 per single family unit. 

The Phoenix Field Landscape and Lighting Assessment District serves properties in the Phoenix Field area and includes only properties located within the boundaries of the assessment district. The assessment is $154.58 per single family unit.  

The Gum Ranch Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District serves properties in the Gum Ranch area and only includes properties within the boundaries of the assessment district. The assessment is $265.36 per single family unit in Benefit Zone A and $445.50 in Benefit Zone B.

The expected revenues for 2026-27 are $670,023 from the Fair Oaks Parks Maintenance and Recreation Improvement District, $56,615 from the Phoenix Field Landscape and Lighting Assessment District and $130,203 from the Gum Ranch Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District. 

During public comments, two residents from the Gum Ranch area wanted assurance that the collected assessments are only used with that assessment district. 

Carhart clarified that the law requires that money collected within that district must be spent within it. The directors agreed that the reporting should be simplified to improve public understanding of how the collected funds are used. 

The board voted to approve the assessments for this fiscal year. 

The next regular meeting of the FORPD Board of Directors is scheduled for Aug. 15.