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Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. Fiscal Sustainability Committee City Services Subcommittee Presented by Paul D. Butcher, Director March 13, 2009. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. General Fund Eliminated or Transferred Positions = 45.75. 2008 Budget = $19.9M

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Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

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  1. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Fiscal Sustainability Committee City Services Subcommittee Presented by Paul D. Butcher, Director March 13, 2009

  2. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department General Fund Eliminated or Transferred Positions = 45.75 2008 Budget = $19.9M 2009 Budget = $15.3 M (23% reduction)

  3. Parks Administration Provide legal, financial and human resources support to the operating divisions as well as manages several internal and external programs. ‘08 Gen Fund Budget = $1,537,022 Revised ‘09 Gen Fund = $938,512 (39% dec) ‘08 FTE = 12 Revised ‘09 FTE = 10 (17% dec) 2009 Impacts: • Eliminate 1 position and freeze 1 position • Eliminate 4th of July symphony and 58 other summer concerts • Eliminate seasonal funding • Recruitment of volunteers to backfill eliminated positions and funding for projects throughout the Dept *Current volunteer program = 6,111 volunteers and 145,480 hours

  4. Design, Development & TOPS Provide comprehensive planning and construction management services for parks, trails, open space and recreation facilities. ‘08 Gen Fund Budget = $507,293 Revised ‘09 Gen Fund = $374,727 (26% dec) ‘08 FTE = 7.0 Revised ‘09 FTE = 4.5 (36% dec) 2009 Impacts: • Eliminate park development/ construction • Eliminate playground repair/renovation • Eliminate trail repair/renovation • 50% reduction in capacity to manage projects • Reduce TOPS meetings to one per month 2009 Changes to TOPS: • One-time transfer from TOPS of $1,194,441 to the General Fund to cover maintenance costs for TOPS projects previously funded by the General Fund • Partnerships – see list

  5. Cultural Services Develop and implement programs that preserve and interpret the culture and natural history of the Pikes Peak Region. ‘08 Gen Fund Budget = $1,359,777 Revised ‘09 Gen Fund = $1,148,736 (16% dec) ‘08 FTE = 15.5 Revised ‘09 FTE = 10 (35% dec) 2009 Impacts: • Eliminate/freeze 5.5 positions • Reduce hours at the Pioneers Museum, Starsmore Discover Center, and Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center • Reduce programming and exhibits at affected sites Partnerships: • RLR Living History Association • Friends of NCC • Friends of Pioneers Museum • Garden of the Gods Foundation • Friends of Garden of the Gods

  6. Forestry Responsible for overall management of the urban forest and wildland/urban interface. ‘08 Gen Fund Budget = $1,342,157 Revised ‘09 Gen Fund = $956,304 (29% dec) ‘08 FTE = 16 Revised ‘09 FTE = 15 (6% dec) 2009 Impacts: • Eliminate contract funds for street tree pruning ($207,500) • Increase length of pruning cycle to 25+ years (national standard = 8 to 10 years) • Increase response times for citizen work requests (2008 requests for service = 6,938) • Decrease number of trees planted due to reduced funding *Urban Forest = 129,000 trees

  7. Park Maintenance Maintain open space, parks, trails, medians, athletic fields, and facilities. ‘08 Gen Fund Budget = $7,652,677 Revised ‘09 Gen Fund = $4,328,748 (43% dec) ‘08 GF FTE = 83.4 Revised ‘09 GF FTE = 53.4 (36% dec) ‘08 Lottery Budget = $1,302,000 Revised ‘09 Lottery = $3,424,457 (263% inc) ‘08 Lottery FTE = 4 Revised ‘09 Lottery FTE = 29 (725% inc) 2009 Impacts: • Absorb 41% water rate increase • Eliminate seasonal staff • Irrigate at 31% of recommended level • Close 35% of permanent restrooms • Eliminate 90% of port-a-johns • Reduce repair/renovation system wide to $56,060 ($3.49/acre) *Acreage = 16,052 (includes lands managed for others)

  8. Recreation Services Provide a myriad of recreation programs, human services, and special events to the community. ‘08 Gen Fund Budget = $7,510,423 Revised ‘09 Gen Fund = $7,295,393 (3% dec) ’08 FTE = 50.25 Revised ‘09 FTE = 45.5 (9% dec) 2009 Impacts: • Eliminate neighborhood block parties (30) • Reduce pool hours of operation • Reduce Human Services Complex (HSC) fund balance by 1/3 ($275K) – one time funding for the Senior Center • Increase fees for select sports programs and facilities • Close Julie Penrose Fountain in ATB Park *Facilities = 16 Partnerships (examples): • Council of the Blind • American Youth Soccer Organization • School District #11 Middle Schools • Golden Circle Nutrition • See partnership list

  9. Possible Consolidations With El Paso County: • Trail Maintenance • Interpretive services associated with Nature and Visitor Centers • Co-locate regional trails facility

  10. Current Privatization Current Contracts: • Janitorial • Mowing • Fence Repair/Installation • Broadleaf Spraying • Fertilizer Distribution • US Tennis Federation* • YMCA Military Families* • *Funding eliminated for 2009 Potential Contracts: • Sertich Ice Center • Aquatics Facilities • 2 recreation centers • 5 outdoor pools • Adult Sports Programming • 6 programs (Softball, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Dodgeball, and Kickball) • Helen Hunt Falls and Starsmore Discovery Center

  11. Current Efficiencies/Innovations Efficiencies: • Reduction of irrigated turf in new park design • De-turfing • Land venture with Pikes Peak Library District and the YMCA Innovations: • Sale of carbon credits on local/ national basis

  12. Long-Term Damage Areas for Concern: • Green infrastructure – the lack of water will result in significant loss of turf throughout the system – estimated cost to bring back an acre of turf is $10K • Urban forest – as the pruning cycle increases, trees will experience greater disease and storm damage, weakening the overall urban forest • Park System Repair – reduction from annual expenses of $800,000 to $56,060 will result in removal/closure of facilities • Open space – without development and management, open space areas will deteriorate • Employees – as staffing is reduced, employees are required to do more with less which may lead to legal, financial and safety issues

  13. The Department in 5-10 Years The Department will have: • Less TOPS and Lottery Funds available for development due to maintenance requirements • Increasing urban forest safety issues due to hazard and diseased trees • No new community parks, athletic complexes or senior centers • No new neighborhood parks (other than those provided through metro districts) • Increased vandalism due to overall deterioration of the park system (the “broken window” syndrome) • The community’s perception that quality of life has decreased (i.e. Uncle Wilber) • An increased reliance on citizens to perform basic maintenance functions • Potential for the creation of a regional special district

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