Commission agrees to pursue Trust for Public Land's technical assistance to study infrastructure sales-tax options for conservation

The Orange County commission on Jan. 13 heard a presentation from Peggy Hanrahan of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) about options to fund a permanent conservation and parks program through a county infrastructure sales tax or bond measure.

Hanrahan told commissioners that TPL has helped other counties design ballot measures, perform public-opinion research and assemble privately funded campaign support. She described commonly used funding tools—general obligation bonds, county sales taxes and property levies—and outlined an early work plan for feasibility research, public-opinion polling and ballot-language drafting. "For every $1 in donated funds that we receive, they're ultimately develop about $2,000 in public funds," she said, describing how philanthropic and private funds are often combined with voter-authorized public financing.

Several commissioners said they supported asking TPL to perform a rapid feasibility review this spring, noting timing sensitivities related to state reporting deadlines for sales-tax measures. Commissioner Nicole Wilson moved that the board authorize TPL technical assistance to explore fiscal scenarios and public engagement; commissioners discussed timing, municipal participation and the need for a locally led, privately funded campaign if the board advanced a ballot question. The mayor said he would provide the one-page letter TPL needs to begin that work and the board expressed general support to proceed with research.

What happens next: Staff said TPL would do feasibility polling and legal research and return with recommendations on timelines, proposed ballot language and public-opinion findings. The TPL presenter estimated the philanthropic-supported research package would cost on the order of $125,000 (grant-funded by partners) and that a statistically valid poll could be completed by March if the board authorized technical assistance immediately.