The Bainbridge Island Metro Parks & Recreation District board of directors is expected to look at the issue of building mountain bikes trails in Grand Forest North.

A lot of claims have been made throughout the discussion. Some involved what the ballot measure did and didn’t say. So in a public records request the Bainbridge Island Review newspaper contacted State Archives.

In response it sent us BI Parks and Recreation District Resolution 91-10, dated July 29, 1991.

It says park commissioners wants to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $5 million to acquire lands from the state Department of Natural Resources. Annual property taxes would pay back the bonds over 20 years. The special election would be Sept. 17, 1991.

It continues to say the district needs to obtain the 280 acres, but does not have the funds to do that. If supplemental funds from federal, state, local or private sources become available they could be used to pay down the bonds. The board called it an emergency acquisition.

The exact wording on the ballot was:

“Shall Bainbridge Island Park and Recreation District be authorized to issue not to exceed $5 million of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, payable from annual property tax levies to be made in excess of any regular property tax levies, for acquisition and purchase of forest lands of the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR Forest), and levy taxes necessary to redeem the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 91-10. Yes or No.