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Final chapter for old Big Pine Library building? |
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Wednesday, 10 June 2009 |
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By Mike Gervais
Register Staff
6-9-09 By this afternoon, one of Inyo’s not-quite historic structures may be on its way to the dump, pending approval from the Board of Supervisors.
The supervisors will also discuss a budget for the Lower Owens River Project and Workplan, a memorial plaque for one of Inyo’s former district attorneys, the annual Crop and Livestock Report from Agricultural Commissioner George Milovich and school budgets.
The board convenes at 9 a.m. in the Inyo County Administrative Center in Independence.
The Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department is asking the board to waive the gate and disposal fees and the demolition permit fees for the demolition and disposal of the Big Pine Library building.
Before the construction of the new library at Big Pine School, several residents tried to save the dilapidated structure from destruction by having it placed on the state list of historical buildings.
Those efforts failed, and the structure was returned to the fire department, which owns the old library building but operates out of a facility next door.
As for school money, with the state still in the grips of a financial crisis, local schools are hoping to pool their resources and issue “tax and revenue anticipation notes,” also known as TRAN, for the coming fiscal year.
According to a staff report, virtually every school district in Inyo County, including the Inyo County Office of Education, has expressed intentions of participating in the California School Boards Association Finance Corporation pooled TRAN for the next fiscal year. Combined, the schools hope to obtain $12,250,000.
Before the districts are authorized to issue TRAN in their own names, the law requires that they request the issuance of the TRAN by the Board of Supervisors.
County staff has recommended that the board move to not authorize the issuance of TRAN through the county.
According to a staff report, “the districts do not expect your board to issue the TRAN on their behalf” and would appreciate it the county didn’t “because it will expedite their participation in the pooled TRAN program.” Also, the report states, “issuance of TRAN by the county on behalf of the school districts would require county staff to review voluminous financial records before recommending the issuances of the TRAN by your board.”
The staff report goes on to state that the county is unfamiliar with the schools’ financial status, and review of financial documents “would substantially delay their participation in the pooled TRAN issue. Such a delay would not be appreciated by the school districts.”
If the county were to issue the TRAN on behalf of the school districts, there would be no statute that would allow the county to recover its issuance cost from the school district.
The board is scheduled to discuss and take action on this item at 11 a.m. today.
Finally, the family of late Inyo County District Attorney Buck Gibbons is asking for the board’s permission to place a permanent plaque outside the District Attorney’s Office in Independence recognizing Gibbons and all his efforts on behalf of the county.
According to a letter from Gibbons family, “He was instrumental in prosecuting, in its crucial phases, the 21-year action that eventually led to a water agreement between Los Angeles and Inyo County … His leadership knew him as a man of integrity who was passionate about his work and who inspired others. He was a man with whom not everyone agreed, but whom everyone respected.”
The family has agreed to cover all costs associated with the placement of the commemorative plaque.
The board will consider that request at 11:30 a.m.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 10 July 2009 )
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