SAN DIEGO – San Diego collects about $27 million a year from hotel and business leases in Mission Bay Park, but the city spends less than 10 percent of that on the 4,235-acre playground.

BRUCE K. HUFF / Union-Tribune Kayakers from River Springs Charter School in Temecula paddled at South Shores at Mission Bay Park.

That disparity has led supporters of the park, which attracts approximately 15 million visitors a year, to put a measure on the city's Nov. 4 ballot that would dedicate a bigger chunk of lease revenue to maintaining it.

While that may sound like a good idea to park backers, some worry it's not a sound spending practice and could wind up limiting the ability of the mayor and City Council to pay for basic city services and emergencies, such as a major fire or landslide.

Proposition C would change the city charter, requiring officials initially to set aside 75 percent of the lease revenues that exceed $23 million. Five years after the measure takes effect, the sum drops to $20 million, but the percentage remains the same.

In addition, 25 percent of the revenues that rise above those levels will be spent on six regional parks, including Balboa, Chollas Lake and Otay River Valley, and other open spaces. The measure would expire in 30 years.

Proposition C, which would take effect in July, is expected to raise $5.3 million to $11.7 million annually for Mission Bay Park through 2015. Over the same period, regional parks are expected to receive $2.5 million to $3.9 million annually.

BRUCE K. HUFF / Union-Tribune Bicyclists JoAnne and Marty Johnson pedaled along a path. Proposition C would raise $5.3 million to $11.7 million annually for the park through 2015. At issue: Proposition C The measure would significantly increase the percentage of money from Mission Bay Park leases going back to the park for improvements. Currently, less than 10 percent is spent on the sprawling recreation area. Proponents: A 1994 report estimated the park needed $200 million worth of improvements, and San Diego Councilman Kevin Faulconer figures the total has since doubled. More money from park leases is needed to pay for those upgrades. Opponents: The proposal would reduce budget flexibility. In the first five years after it was enacted, $48 million from the leases would move to park accounts, leaving less money for street repairs and other needs.

Council members Kevin Faulconer and Donna Frye pushed to put Proposition C on the ballot. Mayor Jerry Sanders joined them in signing the ballot statement in favor of the measure, which requires a simple majority of voters to pass. A group of Mission Bay leaseholders also supports it.

Faulconer called the plan “fiscally responsible.” Another backer, Steven Pinard, co-owner of Dana Landing, a charter service, said he would like to see even more money than Proposition C calls for dedicated to the park.

“I'll take anything at this point,” Pinard said. “Any type of improvement is certainly something to start with.”

No opponents submitted arguments against the measure, but the City Council's vote to put it on the ballot wasn't unanimous; Council President Scott Peters and Councilmen Ben Hueso and Jim Madaffer opposed it. They warned that it would leave city officials without funding flexibility in a crisis.

Only voters can change the charter, so if the measure passes and the city suddenly found itself needing to divert money from the park, another ballot measure might be necessary.

Glen Sparrow, a San Diego State University professor emeritus in public administration, calls the measure “ballot-box planning.”

“This just denies the legislative body the discretion it needs to make decisions,” Sparrow said.

Peters said the measure “was cumbersome,” and worried that it could be difficult to manage.

Proposition C lists seven goals, in order of priority, where the city must spend the additional revenue. Atop the list is dredging. People who use the bay have complained that navigation is becoming more difficult. Other priorities are wetland expansion, stabilizing erosion controls, expanding preserves for endangered or threatened species, completion of bicycle and pedestrian paths, restoration of sea walls and other deferred maintenance.

Judy Swink, a longtime advocate for Mission Bay Park, said it is unclear if the city can embark on some of the projects simultaneously, or if the money could be used to address an emergency outside the priority list.

“It straitjackets what we might be able to do in Mission Bay Park,” said Swink, who opposes the measure.

According to a 1994 report, the park needed nearly $200 million worth of work. Faulconer guesses the cost has doubled over time.

Five years ago, a law took effect calling on the city to use up to $2.5 million of lease revenues on Mission Bay Park each year. But that money has been included in the budget since only 2006, either because the leases failed to generate enough income or the council waived the requirement to fill budget holes.

The proposed charter amendment also eliminates the council's ability to waive the transfer of funds, a change Faulconer hopes will force the city to make good on the old pledge to invest in the parks.

“That promise was broken,” Faulconer said. “This measure fixes that.”

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Jennifer Vigil: (619) 718-5069; jennifer.vigil@uniontrib.com