The Colusa County Board of Supervisors will move forward with two projects to be funded with the county’s Proposition 68 per capita allocations.
The board in May initially considered East Park Reservoir, an Arbuckle basketball court, and a non-motorized (canoe/kayak) launch area on the Sacramento River in Colusa to possibly receive funding from the county’s share of the $4 billion bond, approved by voters in 2018, for state and local parks, environmental protection, and water projects.
Only the Colusa launch was eliminated because of the California Environmental Quality Act and land tenure requirements, officials said.
“It got very complicated and we didn’t have the time to do the things that needed to happen,” said Colusa County Administrative Officer Wendy Tyler, about the Colusa project.
Colusa County was allocated $400,000 from the state to create or rehabilitate recreational facilities. Another $177,952 was reallocated to Colusa County from Maxwell Parks and Recreation District, which was handicapped by a 20 percent cash match to move forward with any project.
The Board of Supervisors, on Dec. 14, directed $474,602 in Proposition 68 funding to be spent on ADA restrooms and a boat launch at East Park Reservoir.
The entirety of the East Park area lies within a severely disadvantaged community, and would not require a cash match from the county’s general fund, officials said.
The board also directed the reallocation of $103,350 to Arbuckle Parks and Recreation District to build a six-basket court on the south end of Balfour Park.
The APR District, which is not considered economically disadvantaged, has an inspired list of projects and is aware of the cash match requirement, officials said.
“I think it’s great that these projects are moving forward,” said Supervisor Denise Smith. “I know that East Park has been on the list for some time, and I think it’s great that Maxwell Park and Rec is allocating their funds for this project.”
Jurisdictions have until June 1 to sign and encumber the per capita contracts, and Dec. 31, 2023, to have the projects completed, according to the state. ■