In a half-hour-long meeting, the Greater Vallejo Recreation District board quietly voted Thursday to push back a proposed parcel tax election to 2012, and close its controversial Glen Cove Nature Center during construction.

The parcel tax measure had been contemplated for as early as August, utilizing mail-in ballots.

Board Chairman Gary Salvadori said August was way too fast to put the election together.

I dont think theres any doubt that we want to do this, we have to do this, he said.

GVRD General Manager Shane McAffee said the special district, which is independent from the city, has seen a 40 percent drop in revenue in recent years, and is already relying this year on a reserve fund.

We cannot continue to operate at that level, Salvadori said, decrying ongoing deferred facility and equipment maintenance. Things will have to significantly change, one way or another.

McAffee said the district is may need to ask voters to agree to an annual $36 to $48 tax per parcel to support the district.

A mail-ballot election, which could allow GVRDs tax measure to stand alone, could cost anywhere between an estimated $275,000 to $500,000, according to a GVRD consultant. Joining with existing ballot measures for a primary or general election might cost as little as $100,000, he added.

The board also passed, without discussion, a resolution to fence off the Glen Cove Nature Area, also known as the Glen Cove Waterfront Park, during

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