City of Ashland

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

BUDGET SESSION
MINUTES

March 3, 2008

ATTENDANCE

Present:     Commissioners Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas; Director Robertson; Superintendents Gies and Teige

Absent:       Commissioners Eggers and Rosenthal; City Council Liaison Navickas

CALL TO ORDER

Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Parks office, 340 S. Pioneer.

BUDGET GOALS

Robertson discussed Exhibit A: 2008-2009 Draft Commission Goals, previously reviewed at the February 25 regular meeting. Based on commissioner feedback, he said goals were divided into categories titled “Projects” and “Practices.” He asked for additional feedback and clarification on the list.

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioner Noraas said her suggestion about providing dog walking paths was based on a desire to open up a neighborhood park for dog owners. Gardiner suggested reminding Parks staff about approved dog friendly areas in the community to enable them to share accurate information with the public. Lewis recommended allowing the public to spearhead and organize requests for additional community garden locations. Noraas expressed the importance of making a decision about the ice rink and moving forward.

Commissioners agreed to review operational budgets before ranking goals.

REVIEW OPERATIONAL BUDGETS BASED ON CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS

Robertson referenced Exhibit B, which outlined actual and proposed Parks and Recreation Fund revenues and expenditures, ending fund balances, and excesses or deficiencies for the period spanning 2004-2014. He said the commission was required to target budget reductions for the upcoming fiscal year. Gies presented the Parks Division budget and Teige presented the Recreation Division budget. Potential Parks Division cuts included costs associated with the CAP and CSO officers, Park Patrol, non-native vegetation removal, and not filling a vacant custodial position. He said a minimal amount of Capital Improvement funds would be available in 2008-2009. Proposed Parks Division reductions were estimated at $280,000.

Robertson distributed Exhibit C, which outlined personnel costs, including salary and benefits expenses. He said it might be necessary to adjust healthcare expenses to reduce costs by moving to a preferred provider system and increasing annual employee deductibles. He indicated that both revenues and expenditures would be reduced in 2008-2009 (from 2007-2008 levels).

Discussion Among Commissioners

Commissioner suggestions for increasing revenues and decreasing expenses included boosting the millage rate, reducing funding for non-Parks positions such as CAP and CSO officers, and increasing percentages of insurance premiums paid by employees.

DUCK POND DISCUSSION

Robertson talked about the importance of dredging the upper duck pond and said the work might be constrained by weather, equipment, staff availability, funding, and fertilizer removal and transport. He said the fertilizer could be deposited in a lagoon in Grants Pass or on a farm in Sam’s Valley. Robertson said expenses related to dredging and improvements for the pond would be divided between two fiscal years, as project expenses would exceed a single year’s budget.

ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard, Ashland Parks and Recreation