Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (District 76) presented “checks” to the City Council for funding priorities she advocated for which were part of a package of budget bills passed on June 14, 2021. The projects benefit North County and included $9.1 million for three projects for the City of Vista:
$5 million to replace the Old Taylor Street Fire Station
$3.5 million for the Civic Center Solar Project
$600,000 for Brengle Terrace Park Well in the City of Vista.
“We appreciate Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath’s support and efforts in advocating for State funding that benefits the City of Vista,” said Mayor Judy Ritter when she first heard of the funding allocations. “We were ecstatic to hear the news of the passage of the package of budget bills which included the Vista appropriations. We are thankful for her continued support of the City of Vista. Representatives such as Assemblymember Boerner Horvath help important local projects move forward and create a better region for residents and visitors to live, work, and enjoy.”
The funds will move forward the City of Vista’s three projects, which will enhance the quality of life for Vista residents. The Brengle Terrace Park well and Civic Center Solar projects will result in municipal cost savings and benefit the environment. The financial support will also fill the gap needed to upgrade the Old Taylor Fire Station to a modern facility, to better serve the increased number of residents in the city and the Vista Fire Protection District.
Civic Center Solar Project ($3.5 Million)
This clean energy project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the Civic Center by installing solar carport structures at the Civic Center. The project will produce more than 80% of the energy needed to operate the Civic Center and Community Center through solar carport structures. The carport structures will cover the existing parking lots of the Civic Center and the adjacent public library parking lot. The project will help meet the State of California’s GHG reduction targets, reduce energy consumption, and improve public health and quality of life for the Vista community. The Civic Center Solar Project will demonstrate cost savings and the opportunity provided by solar power systems to save energy in government operations and in the community, thus resulting in municipal cost savings and benefits to the environment.
Brengle Terrace Park Well ($600,000)
The well project at Brengle Terrace Park will provide a reliable local source of non-potable water for irrigation and other non-potable water uses at the park. The park is over 75 acres and comprised of ballfields, the Moonlight Amphitheatre, trails, botanical gardens, tennis and pickleball courts, disc golf, a recreation center, play/picnic areas, and trails. The park is a major attraction in North San Diego County and is heavily used. In 2016, Vista retained a drilling contractor to develop a well within the park for irrigation purposes at a cost of approximately $360,000. To complete the project, it is estimated that an additional $600,000 will be necessary to fund the design and installation of the remaining well system: well pump, distribution system, storage facilities, and booster pumps to connect the well water to the existing irrigation system.
Replace Old Taylor Street Fire Station ($5 Million)
The fire station on 1070 Old Taylor Street is almost 50 years old and has not been upgraded in two decades. Due to inadequate sizing, this station can no longer accommodate modern fire trucks and engines, which requires the City to purchase apparatus outside of its standard models. In addition, the property has significant drainage and ingress/egress issues which need to be addressed. The station serves not only the incorporated City of Vista, but is the primary station for the Vista Fire Protection District, which spans an additional 19 square miles and is home to more than 20,000 residents. It is estimated that a modern, 10,000 square foot replacement station at this location would cost approximately about $8 million. The Vista Fire Protection District will be provide the remaining financing for the construction.
