'Yes' vote needed to save Memorial Field

On Nov. 6, the voters of the city of Sandpoint will have the opportunity to express their opinion about the future of War Memorial Field.

Currently, the city of Sandpoint property taxpayers solely bear the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and repairs to War Memorial Field. The opportunity to pass the local option tax of one half percent (0.5 percent) will engage Bonner County residents and visitors alike in supporting this iconic structure.

As proposed, the local option tax of 0.5 percent is limited to five years, and the revenues generated can only be spent on the costs associated with the repairs and renovations to War Memorial Field. The proposal is very specific as required by Idaho law. That is a good thing.

Who benefits from that iconic structure of War Memorial Field? Some 27,000-plus users per year visit that facility for everything from sporting events to cultural events to graduations to 9/11 remembrances. Yes, some user fees are collected (about $35,000 per year) but that is a drop in the bucket on what it costs the city just to operate and maintain the facility (about $75,000 per year). Where does the remainder of the needed dollars come from? City of Sandpoint property taxpayers.

The estimated cost of renovation of the facility just to make the bleachers safe and sound with the same current capacity (900 persons) is about $1.4 million; to increase the seating capacity to 1,800 persons, the cost becomes $2.4 million. The estimated revenue to be gained from the five-year local option tax is $1.2 million. Where, might you ask, will the remainder of the needed dollars come from? The city has a dedicated fund toward the needed repairs of $200,000. That, combined with the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Memorial Field will enable the city to complete the project.

I encourage each voter to think very carefully about the local option tax. The city does not have the money to repair/reconstruct this facility in a timely manner (the current life expectancy is another five years), nor do I feel it should be the sole responsibility of the city of Sandpoint property owners.

A “yes” vote on the local option tax is the approach to use to more equitably assign responsibility for this iconic treasure that we care so very much about.

CARRIE LOGAN

Sandpoint

Sandpoint City Council

Presiden