By Jamie Goldstein, City Manager
This column is intended to provide the community with an ongoing series of updates about City of Capitola projects and activities of interest. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or feedback, please let me know at jgoldstein@ci.capitola.ca.us or by phone at 475-7300.
Capitola Junior Guard Season Comes to a Close
The Junior Guards program provides instruction in the basic fundamentals of ocean water safety, first aid and lifesaving. Participants have the opportunity to build self-esteem and gain respect for themselves and others by improving their skills, and working together with other participants and instructors in a team-building environment.
From its humble beginnings, the program has now grown to over 500 enrollments in each of its two sessions. The program employs approximately 25 staff, and this year, had fifty-seven 16-18 year-old participants in the Captains/U-19 work training program. Included in staff training is beach lifeguarding, CPR and First Aid. Participants are exposed to many of the skills and techniques utilized in professional lifesaving organizations.
Kim Carlton, Junior Guards Parents Club president, has said, “Guards is a place that you can do your best and know that you will be accepted and rewarded for your hard work. It gives kids structure and a place to be in the summer with an agenda and a goal in mind, whether that goal be to learn about the ocean and be with your friends or to compete in a fun, respectful way.”
Junior Guards is the ultimate recreation program. Kids and staff return year after year. The tireless efforts the Junior Lifeguard Parents Club and the support from organizations such as the Capitola Public Safety and Community Services Foundation and The Jay Moriarity Foundation have made this a program that has allowed thousands of kids to become part of the Capitola Junior Guard family.
Challenges with Sales Tax
The City of Capitola receives revenue from several different sources, but sales tax is our largest source, comprising over 50% of all revenue. The City’s other large revenue sources include Property Tax (14%), Transient Occupancy Tax (9%) and Parking Revenue (8%). The City estimates that 60-80% of all sales tax paid in the City is attributable to non-City residents, led by auto sales and retail on 41st Avenue.
Sales tax is volatile and follows changes in the economy. With a strong economy the City collects more sales tax and in a weak economy the City collects less. For example, in the first year of the Great Recession sales tax collections fell by 25% or $1.3 million.
Relying heavily on a volatile revenue source raises many challenges. The City is a service organization and the demands for City services do not decrease when the economy slows down. For example, over 40% of City’s expenditures are for the Police Department. During the Great Recession sales tax decreased $1.8 million in total while police calls for service remained constant over that same time period.
Other local governmental organizations rely on a different mixture of revenue sources. The County of Santa Cruz and Central Fire District rely heavily on property taxes, which is much less sensitive to economic conditions and therefore less likely to decrease significantly during recessions.
In an effort to insulate the City from inevitable future economic downturns and the resultant loss of critical sales tax revenue, the City has increased its reserves from 25% to 35%. Further, as sales tax collections have increased in recent years, the City has prioritized spending the increased sales tax on capital projects and reserves rather than using those funds for ongoing programs. Nevertheless, the “cost of doing business” for the City has risen 21.5% since 2008 due to inflation, increased health care, pension and insurance costs, and future downturns will likely involve difficult decisions for the City.
McGregor Park Open for Fun
Earlier this month the City held a grand opening for the bike pump track at McGregor Multiuse Park. The City’s newest park on McGregor Drive now includes the Monte Family Skate Park, Ozzi’s Memorial Dog Park and the Family Cycling Center and Crossfit Bike Pump Track. The park is open and well used from dawn to dusk every day. Bring your skateboard, bike, helmet, pads, and your dog and join in the on the fun.
Keep Your Pets Safe
City Construction Project Updates
Fall Road Paving. The City has awarded a contract to Granite Rock Company to repave portions of Park Avenue, Kennedy Drive, and Monterey Avenue. The work will include reconstruction of the sidewalk curb ramps along the area, and widening the bike lane on Park Avenue between Coronado Avenue and Kennedy Drive. The final schedule is yet to be established, but work should be starting mid to late September.
Jade Street Tennis Court Reconstruction. Construction bids for resurfacing the tennis courts at Jade Street Park will be received on August 31, 2016. The work is scheduled to begin in mid-October. All four courts will be closed during construction which is estimate to last 5 weeks.
We will keep you up to date on these and other projects in future articles and on the City of Capitola Website http://www.cityofcapitola.org
Capitola Candidates’ Forum
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidates’ Forum on October 5 at 7 p.m. at Capitola City Hall. The Forum is intended to help voters better understand each candidates’ position on issues and policies. The forum will also be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 8.
Community Events
Our Summer Twilight Concert Series will be wrapping up soon with the last concert on Wednesday August 31st at 6 p.m., featuring Digbeats at the Esplanade Park bandstand.
Free Movies at the beach will be starting Friday night September 9 with Night at the Museum. Movies begin at dusk at Esplanade Park. Remember to bring blankets and low back chairs.