FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 27, 2024
Contacts: Natalie Jolly, 650-691-1200, njolly@openspace.org
Los Altos, CA—At its regular meeting on June 26, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board of directors adopted an $89.5 million budget to fund 119 projects for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. These projects further Midpen’s work in meeting our Measure AA commitments and reflect the various Bayside and Coastside priorities, such as:
- Continuing to expand public access and trail connectivity through projects like the Highway 17 Trail Crossing and Bear Creek Redwoods Phase 2 Trails Grand Opening.
- Completing the New Agricultural Wells projects and Bluebrush Canyon and Gordon Ridge Grazing Cross-fences by the end of the fiscal year
- Continuing our work toward climate resiliency through multiple wildland fire resiliency and invasive pest management projects like the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve Forest Health Treatment project and invasive weed removal at Bear Creek Redwoods.
“Over the past decade, Measure AA has provided Midpen with the opportunity to execute our vision plan priorities,” Midpen General Manager Ana Ruiz said. “We look forward to this year as we progress in providing ecologically sensitive public access to nature, protecting natural resources and local wildlife populations, and addressing new challenges to climate resiliency.”
Nearly a quarter of the projects (31) included in the FY25 Capital Improvement and Action Plan section of the budget are eligible for reimbursement through Measure AA, the 30-year, $300 million general obligation bond approved by voters in 2014. Action plan projects span across the four main program areas supporting Midpen’s strategic goals: land acquisition and preservation (2%), natural resource protection and restoration (38%), public access, education and outreach (28%) and assets and organizational support (32%).
Total revenues and other funding sources are projected at $93.4 million, which includes property tax revenues of $77.7 million and grants, other funding sources and other revenues of $15.7 million. Midpen receives the majority (83%) of its total revenues from property taxes, with grants, interest, rental and other income (17%) making up the balance of the revenue sources.
The complete Budget and Action Plan and the Budget in Brief will be available in July at openspace.org/reports.