At the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners meeting Feb. 13, board director Chris Carney discussed the state of the Farmland Preservation, Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund and the referendum planned for the Nov. 4 ballot. The referendum will ask voters to allow the open space program to continue for another 10 years.
In his remarks, Carney disclosed a $6.2 million balance in this trust fund and suggested taking “a break for a year or two or three and save taxpayers $395,000.”
According to meeting minutes, Carney also mentioned the board was “waiting on counsel to figure out how we can write that referendum.”
At the July 9 meeting, without mention of that previously discussed “break,” commissioners voted to approve the resolution for the Nov. 4 ballot question. If approved by Sussex County voters, the open space tax will continue for another 10 years. Carney was absent from this meeting. There was no discussion.
Commissioner Carney, what happened? Why isn’t the county going to do something to give this “break” to taxpayers? For what is the county saving our $6.2 million? Did someone at the state level tell you, “No, you cannot do this”? I volunteer to make that call to the state for you and find out.
Municipalities are struggling with rising costs, stricter budgets and depleting funds. Necessary services to taxpayers are suffering. At the very least, a bit of relief from this fund, dedicated to open space and recreation, could help qualifying municipalities provide and enhance another area of budgetary distress: local recreation.
While Commissioner Carney should be commended for officially recognizing this $6.2 million balance in the trust fund along with his thoughts about “taking a break” from collecting this tax, there is a feasible, alternative solution.
There is a quarter-century-old document known as the Sussex County Farmland, Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Open Space Rules and Regulations. Last revised in 2013, more than a decade ago, this rules and regulations document states that funds are available to municipalities for applications solely to acquire land for recreational usage but are not available to develop those lands for recreational usage.
Commissioner Carney, it is time that Sussex County revised that 25-year-old document. Amend the rules to include more than the ability to acquire properties.
This county-controlled fund should not become an open checkbook, and requests should still require commissioner approval. However, rules hindering access to taxpayer-contributed funds, set forth by this 25-year-old document, could deter voter approval to continue participation in open space programs.
Sussex County would be able to give back to our municipalities and residents who have given so much to fund so many county projects in the past 25 years.
Kathleen Gorman
Wantage