Next LOCAL issue on the Ballot in November. There is one more, and then there are THREE State Props. Question 1. Voter Approval to sell Kings Court. A YES vote shall have the effect of granting the authority to sell the property community known as Kings Court Tennis Club. A NO vote shall have the effect of not granting the authority to sell the property community knows as Kings Court Tennis Club. Arizona State law requires cities wanting to sell an asset valued at $500,000.00 or more must put the question to sell on the ballot for the voters to decide. Kings Court was donated to the city of Sierra Vista for an exchange value of $500,000.00 with the stipulation that the property remain open to the public. The building is dilapidated, and completely out of code, the pool is empty, and half the tennis courts are in despair, but 8 of the courts are still usable and lighted. The City planned to rehab the building and lease the facilities as a bar and restaurant, multi use facility, The funds for rehab were to come from sale of another property. Unfortunately, the cost of rehab is more than the funds allocated from the sale. The City will have to dip into General Funds to bring it up to code and make it habitable. The Sierra Vista Community Tennis Association (SVCTA) has been operating the 8 viable tennis courts and wants to continue to run them. There are arguments to be made on both sides, but purely from a fiscal standpoint this was a gift that should have never been accepted. YES - The City would be able to sell the property and get out from under the on going expenses to the tax payers, since the building cost the city essentially nothing, it could be sold to the SVCTA, for a few dollars. SVCTA is a 501(c)3, so any donations for repairs or demolition of the building would be tax deductible and people would be more likely to support the effort, or sell the property to a developer who could then commercially develop the property, with the stipulation to retain the tennis courts for public use. NO - the city would retain possession of the property, $100,000.00 has been allocated in this years budget to demolish the building, the dilapidated tennis courts, and fill in the pool. The property could be turned into a public park, which the City doesnt have on the east side of town. The tennis club can continue to operate as it has. The property would continue to remain as an expense. I am going to vote YES to allow the City to get out from under this expense to the tax payers. Lets hope this is the outcome and the City sells the property. If they have to retain the property, one could hope they will put a small park or something there, but again, we are talking about the CITY here, who let the Redflex Cameras come and NEVER thought of the citizens for approval. Who knows what they could try and do with this property.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:25:47 +0000
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