February 5, 2013

Fee Mail Ballots Due Back March 18

Visalia property owners have the opportunity to choose to reduce the risk of local flooding and property damage by increasing maintenance on the City's expanding flood control and storm water drainage system at no additional current cost. A mail ballot went out on Jan. 31 to Visalia property owners who currently pay a monthly fee of 48 cents per parcel, or dwelling unit, that helped pay to enlarge Lake Kaweah. They can now choose to have a portion of the fee used to help reduce the risk of local flooding, which has occurred in the City as recently as 2010 (pictured above).

When the fee was enacted in 1997, it was intended to pay for the City's share of the cost of enlarging Lake Kaweah, which provides additional up-stream flooding protection. That project, now complete, was critical to regional flood control efforts. The City has identified a need for ongoing maintenance and improvements of its storm water system and is required to ask property owners before continuing this portion of the fee for a new use.

A "yes" vote on the mail ballot means the fee will continue at the same rate to fund local flood control maintenance and will be adjusted annually for inflation. A "no" vote means the allowable use of the monthly fee will not include local flood control maintenance, and a fee of 5 cents per month will continue to fund Lake Kaweah maintenance requirements.

The funds can only be used for flood control purposes, and flood insurance costs and requirements will not be affected by the outcome of the vote. Only signed ballots received by 4 p.m. on March 18 will be counted.

Two public informational meetings will be held from 6 to 7 pm at the following locations:  Feb. 7 - Fairview School Cafeteria at 1051 W. Robin Drive, and; Feb. 21 - Visalia Unified School District Board Room, 5000 W. Cypress. If your organization would like to schedule an informational presentation, please call Nancy Loliva, Community Relations Manager, at 713-4535 or email [email protected]. 

For more information, click here.