Stanislaus County could kick in funds for November vote on unincorporated islands
Stanislaus County is expected to cover half the cost of a consolidated Measure M vote in November on whether to extend wastewater service to homes in 15 county islands in Modesto.
The proposal to reimburse Modesto for up to $45,410 in election costs could be approved under a consent item at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
Modesto officials say that holding a single advisory vote for the 15 county islands will cost less than individual ballot measures and leave one less hurdle when funding is available for improving the residential areas. Approved by voters in 1995, Measure M has required the city to hold advisory votes on sewer-line extensions so that public opinion is considered in urban growth decisions.
Also on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors could adopt the proposed budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year after holding a public hearing.
City wastewater service most recently was brought to the Parklawn neighborhood off Hatch Road near Highway 99, where county residents have endured sanitation problems caused by failed septic tanks.
Previous Measure M votes approved service extensions for eight of the 27 unincorporated pockets in Modesto. Advisory votes have not been held for 15 residential areas lacking wastewater service. The four other county islands in Modesto are not developed with homes.
The county registrar of voters estimates the Measure M ballot will cost $18,164 to $90,820, so the county’s share of the cost could be substantially less than $45,000.
Keith Boggs, an assistant chief executive officer for the county, said there’s no timeline for providing service to the 15 islands, most of which are west of Highway 99. He said the city and county are discussing a long-term plan and how to prioritize the areas for improvements.
The county is usually responsible for road, sidewalk and other improvements before the city agrees to serve a county island. Neighborhoods have waited on service extensions for years as federal or state grants are sought or their project moves up on the priority list.
“There is a lot more state money available for septic issues than for stormwater or other issues,” Boggs said.
The Modesto City Council decided in May to put the comprehensive Measure M vote on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Ken Carlson: (209) 578-2321
If you go
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the basement chamber of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St., Modesto. The following items will be considered:
- Adopt contribution rates for employee retirement benefits.
- Approve an agreement with Telecare Corp. for operation of the Psychiatric Health Facility in Ceres.
- A renewed agreement with the Modesto Radio Control Club for the radio-controlled airplane field at Modesto Reservoir park.
This story was originally published June 7, 2015 at 6:09 PM with the headline "Stanislaus County could kick in funds for November vote on unincorporated islands."