Tuesday, February 23, 2016

[Kern County] Grand Jury committee scrutinizes Buttonwillow parks district

A 2015-2016 Kern County Grand Jury committee visited the Buttonwillow Recreation and Parks District west of Bakersfield in December and found it appeared “well run” but its current budget included “an approximate $260,000 deficit.”
The Grand Jury’s County Services and Special District Committee recommended the district develop a “formal contingency plan for expected budget shortfalls” and post its meeting minutes, which wasn’t currently done.
In its report, released Tuesday, the Grand Jury committee also found the district’s board of directors had agreed to “supplement” this year’s budget from its $1.3 million cash reserves, and a projected tax deficit due to low crude oil prices would be a problem for the district through at least 2017.
The Buttonwillow district has 90 days to respond to the report.
Founded in 1974, the district was energized by a 2008 bond proposition, Measure F, which was approved at the polls.
Voters authorized the district to borrow nearly $4.9 million, which paid for a 16,500-square-foot multi-purpose facility that includes fitness rooms, a conference room, and swimming pools and restrooms outside.
Also outside, the district refurbished existing baseball, softball and soccer fields.
The location also includes playgrounds and a covered area for group events.
February 17, 2016
The Bakersfield Californian
By Theo Douglas


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