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HomeMy WebLinkAbout174 Parks & RecreationPublic Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks & Recreation 174-000-010 MISSION: The mission of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is to improve the health, welfare, and safety of the citizenry; protect the environment, and promote economic development through state of the art recreational and educational programs and facilities supported by public tax revenue, fees, grants and private donations. The vision of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is not to serve every purpose, but to lead towards cooperation and comprehensive community solutions. 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 REVENUE:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request Beginning Unreserved Fund Balance 147,074$ 111,072$ 72,466$ 72,466$ 69,076$ Beginning Reserved Fund Balance 64,000$ 64,000$ 64,000$ 64,000$ 64,000$ Recreation Programs 47,818$ 44,745$ 55,148$ 47,950$ 54,750$ Parks Improvement Transfer 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 Transfer from Hotel/Motel - 28,140 50,297 41,625 42,874 General Fund Revenues 443,150 481,350 490,655 490,655 505,375 Other Revenues - Rents, Leases 63,206 56,344 61,662 53,150 51,650 Total Revenues 569,174$ 625,579$ 672,762$ 648,380$ 669,649$ 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 EXPENDITURES:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request By Object Salaries/Benefits 350,649$ 378,159$ 415,447$ 408,774$ 419,340$ Supplies/Small Tools 29,938 45,848 41,712 37,700 40,800 Professional Services 9,715 6,814 8,553 13,100 9,500 Other Services/Charges 93,952 124,893 106,928 100,015 112,745 Capital Outlay 6,696 1,865 - - - Interfund Payments 114,226 106,605 103,512 106,023 101,139 Total Parks & Recreation 605,176$ 664,185$ 676,152$ 665,612$ 683,524$ By Program Recreation 245,118$ 230,323$ 235,807$ 236,710$ 224,385$ Memorial Field 106,045 105,680 106,821 109,755 113,237 Parks Maintenance 254,013 328,183 333,524 319,147 345,902 Total Parks & Recreation 605,176$ 664,185$ 676,152$ 665,612$ 683,524$ Ending Unreserved Fund Balance 111,072$ 72,466$ 69,076$ 55,234$ 55,201$ Ending Reserved Fund Balance 64,000$ 64,000$ 64,000$ 64,000$ 64,000$ Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks & Recreation 174-000-010 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request STAFFING: Recreation 2.56 2.42 2.62 2.62 2.36 Memorial Field 0.84 0.87 0.90 0.90 1.00 Parks Maintenance 1.87 2.45 2.49 2.49 2.59 Total Parks & Recreation 5.27 5.74 6.01 6.01 5.95 GOALS FOR FY 2019 1. Create a parks maintenance staff team that is appropriate for the size, scale and complexity of the parks system, and can be sustained. 2. Strategically update and implement the capital plan, and goals and objectives of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan. 3. Maintain the level of service provided in 2018. 4. Increase all possible revenue streams as well as non-traditional resources such as volunteerism and partnerships for programs and maintenance. 5. Seek sustainable funding for 2020 and beyond. 6. Continue athletic field annual maintenance program to insure safety and usability. OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2019 1. Parks maintenance staff have adequate time, experience, training, and equipment to sustain the parks system. 2. Day to day maintenance is adequate for a high quality park experience. 3. Capital maintenance and repair projects are completed at a rate greater than they are added to the CIP. 4. Revenue streams including program fees, campground fees, donations, fund-raisers, and field rentals are maximized. 5. Invest in improvements to the volunteer recruitment, retention and support system to insure sustainable results. 6. Athletic fields are useable during the sports seasons. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Overall System Indicators UNIT 2015 Actual 2016 Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Planned 2019 Planned Comments Total number of Parks Parks 20 20 20 20 20 Number of Parks Open Parks 19 19 19 19 19 Number of Parks Closed Parks 1 1 1 1 1 Open Park Acreage Total Acres 1112.3 1112.3 1112.3 1112.3 1112.3 Miles of Trails Miles 9.76 12.31 14.12 14.5 16 Donations of Volunteer Labor in Hours Hours 3505 4475 4415 5000 5000 Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks & Recreation 174-000-010 SUMMARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES Jefferson County Parks and Recreation continues to struggle to provide day-to-day maintenance, complete capital repairs, conduct preventative maintenance tasks, operate the Recreation Center, and offer a variety of recreation programs. Parks and Recreation was reduced in 2009 and has not been ‘made whole’. Prop 1 provided a temporary lift, but ended in 2015. From 2015 to 2018, Parks and Recreation used a combination of ‘one-time’ general fund allocations, transfers from the Parks Improvement Fund, volunteerism, and unreserved fund balance in an attempt to maintain the same level of service provided before the recession. Unreserved fund balance (which peaked during the Prop 1 special sales tax partnership with the City of Port Townsend) will be spent down to $55,201 at the end of 2019. Furthermore, when seen as a percentage of the whole, parks and recreation is requesting less general fund support than in 2005. Parks and Recreation General Fund Transfer as a Percentage of Total Revenue 2005 Actual 81.2% 2019 Request 75.5% $38,036 $42,054 $27,991 $104,607 $166,950 $147,074 $111,072 $72,466 $69,076 $55,201 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Parks and Recreation Ending Fund Balance Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks & Recreation 174-000-010 Maintenance staffing levels have been inadequate since the 2009 layoffs. Meanwhile, park, campground, athletic field, and facility use has increased concurrently with the economy. At present, there is not enough skilled staff time available to maintain the parks. This budget continues a partial solution initiated in 2018. Parks/Memorial Field Maintenance and Roads Maintenance will continue to share one full-time staff person. This solution resulted in a more sustainable and more productive system. Retention, experience, skill level, and commitment by the staff member holding the position are increased. Additional overhead costs such as benefits, equipment, training, and supervision is shared. This solution is an example of collaboration and cooperation between County divisions, for the betterment of the entire County. The community has demonstrated its support for Parks and Recreation. Significant volunteer hours, donations, partnerships, and grants were received in 2018. The trend of increasing alternative resources for recreation programs, park maintenance, and capital repair projects will continue in 2019. Seven county parks (including several of our busiest water access parks) will be maintained entirely by volunteers. All recreation programs in 2019 will utilize volunteer coaches as well as partnerships with schools and community groups. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Parks and Recreation F.T.E. History Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 571 - Recreation MISSION: The mission of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is to improve the health, welfare, and safety of the citizenry; protect the environment, and promote economic development through state of the art recreational and educational programs and facilities supported by public tax revenue, fees, grants and private donations. The vision of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is not to serve every purpose, but to lead towards cooperation and comprehensive community solutions. 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 REVENUE:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request Recreation Programs 47,818$ 44,745$ 55,148$ 47,950$ 54,750$ General Fund Revenues 184,902 173,536 168,160 176,460 157,535 From Fund Balance - Intergov Rev-City of PT Other Revenues - Rents, Leases 12,398 12,042 12,499 12,300 12,100 Total Revenues 245,118$ 230,323$ 235,807$ 236,710$ 224,385$ 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 EXPENDITURES:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request Salaries/Benefits 159,961$ 156,409$ 163,915$ 162,701$ 162,133$ Supplies/Small Tools 11,241 13,047 12,066 15,200 13,400 Professional Services 7,920 6,593 8,213 8,000 9,000 Other Services/Charges 7,758 7,613 8,553 7,750 8,500 Capital Outlay Interfund Payments 58,238 46,662 43,060 43,059 31,352 Total Recreation 245,118$ 230,323$ 235,807$ 236,710$ 224,385$ STAFFING: Recreation 2.56 2.42 2.62 2.62 2.36 GOALS FOR FY2019: 1. Continue to deliver effective core programs through partnerships with volunteers, schools, and non-profit corporations. 2. Maintain the 2018 level of service through 2019 and beyond. 3. Increase revenue from fees, partnerships, donations, fundraising activities and grants. 4. Increase fees or garner donations in support of very-low-fee, or no-fee programs such as pick-up sports and drop-in recreation at the PT Rec Center. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 571 - Recreation OBJECTIVES FOR FY2019: 1. Partner with PT School District and qualified non-profits to gain resources to support drop-in recreation at the Port Townsend Rec Center. 2. Partner with WSU Extension, Jefferson Healthcare, Olycap and other agencies to serve key community needs throughout Jefferson County. 3. Grow and improve summer sports day camps through partnerships or contracts. 4. Operate youth and adult sports leagues which maximize volunteerism and revenue. 5. Where possible, use Jefferson County Facilities to save costs. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: Recreation Program UNIT 2015 Actual 2016 Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Planned 2019 Planned Number of Recreation Programs Programs 7 14 10 12 14 Fee basis: sum program fee revenue/sum of program costs 23.74%24.54%24.00%24.77%25.30% Recreation Program Registrations Registrations 926 927 963 900 985 Average fee per registration 52.25$ 40.88$ 58.29$ 55.56$ 63.07$ Number of Volunteer Coaches Coaches 103 108 94 100 115 Facility Reservations at the PT Rec Center Reservations 712 568 508 600 650 SUMMARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES: The key service issue facing the recreation program is retaining the current level of service despite inadequate funding. Transfer costing is an issue for the Port Townsend Rec Center free drop-in recreation program budget. The recreation program pays for building expenses, day to day janitorial service, and maintenance of the grounds. The free drop in recreation program at the Port Townsend Rec Center serves between 75 and 150 children on weekdays. The average weekday visit to the facility is 2 hours, with many children spending most of the afternoon while their parents work. Use of the free drop in recreation program climbs to 200-400 visitors during the summers, holidays and on Saturdays. The program will provide approximately 48,000 contact hours in 2018. Children visiting the Rec Center choose from a variety of activities: playing sports in the gym, utilizing the recreational table games, reading, listening to music, or just hanging out with friends. The facility is open 27 hours per week for 50 weeks a year. Extended hours are provided during early release days, summer time, and school holidays. The facility grounds are an important site for people of all ages to recreate at the playground, relax on the grass, or have lunch on the picnic table. The recreation program provides a home for the Saturday Port Townsend Farmers Market and pays for grounds maintenance and garbage service. Restroom service consists of portable toilets funded by the farmers market and use of the indoor Rec Center toilets. This partnership was enhanced in 2018 through better communication and team work. In 2019 the recreation program will continue its ongoing partnership with Peninsula College to provide a home for the Cooperative Playschool. This high quality pre-school and day care for ages 2 – 4 is critical to the health and well-being of our entire community. The Rec Center offers dedicated program space, gym time, restroom access, office Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 571 - Recreation access, logistics and storage facilities, garbage service, and meeting space to this valuable program. Recreation programs are a valuable partner to our community safety and health care programs The recreation program has a 35 year history of providing high value, low cost programming for the entire East Jefferson County Community. In 2018 one full-time staff member, supported by several clerk-hire staff members offered 14 major programs, including two new ones: the summer and fall coed, adult, recreational leagues. The recreation program achieves extreme productivity and efficiency through volunteerism, partnerships for facility use, economies of scale, and other forms of leverage. The cost/benefit ratio of Jefferson County Recreation programming is high. Benefits include chronic disease prevention (promoting lifelong activity by getting kids active early), social and community health (connecting communities, children and families), and economic benefits (attracting workers, and providing care during work hours). Chronic disease prevention is perhaps one of the most important benefits of recreation programming. In 2018, Parks and Recreation staff continued to participate in the Jefferson Healthcare Community Health Improvement Program (CHIP), a mandated community workgroup for chronic disease prevention. Throughout this process, recreation programming was identified as a key part of the overall healthcare system. Jefferson County faces a public health crisis caused in part by inactivity, which can cause diabetes, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, muscular-skeletal disorders, and breathing problems. The recreation program continues to provide hundreds of children a ‘prescription’ of regular vigorous exercise through active sports like soccer and basketball. This is a high value, low cost solution when seen as a part of the health care system. In 2018 Jefferson County Recreation spearheaded a successful initiative to create an enriched afterschool program in the Brinnon School. A partnership with Jefferson Healthcare and WSU Extension was formed to offer experiential education, socialization, child care, homework help, vigorous exercise, mentorship, and food three days a week. The partnership is funded by Jefferson Healthcare and Jefferson County. The recreation program works closely with Jefferson County safety, emergency response, and emergency preparedness teams. Sheriff Deputies and emergency responders volunteer in our leagues and summer camps, form a softball team in the coed recreational league, visit the recreation center to connect with youth, and conduct community policing by responding to issues in County parks. Another good example is the partnership with Juvenile Services for maintenance of Courthouse Park. Through this program, youth are offered the opportunity to restore trust and engagement through a visible and valuable service. The Recreation program promotes respect for one another, connections with groups and neighbors, and the ability to resolve conflict peacefully through communication and engagement. The benefit applies doubly to the young children and teens of the community, who need programs such as summer drop in basketball and volleyball in Quilcene where they can express themselves in a productive manner, and form positive relationships. In the case of community safety, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In conclusion, public recreation programs, like our public school programs, must remain accessible, must serve the core values of the community, and must have the highest levels of transparency, accountability, and cost/benefit ratios. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 575.20 – Memorial Field MISSION: The mission of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is to improve the health, welfare, and safety of the citizenry; protect the environment, and promote economic development through state of the art recreational and educational programs and facilities supported by public tax revenue, fees, grants and private donations. The vision of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is not to serve every purpose, but to lead towards cooperation and comprehensive community solutions. 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 REVENUE:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request General Fund Revenues 65,703$ 70,595$ 64,280$ 76,955$ 80,937$ Intergov Rev-City of PT Other Revenues - Rents, Leases 40,342 35,085 42,541 32,800 32,300 Donations 2,000 Total Revenues 108,045$ 105,680$ 106,821$ 109,755$ 113,237$ 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 EXPENDITURES:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request Salaries/Benefits 56,889$ 57,871$ 62,634$ 68,269$ 69,973$ Supplies/Small Tools 4,915 4,733 10,412 6,500 6,600 Professional Services - - Other Services/Charges 20,129 32,954 24,700 23,000 26,250 Capital Outlay 6,696 Interfund Services 17,416 10,122 9,075 11,986 10,414 Total Field Maintenance 106,045$ 105,680$ 106,821$ 109,755$ 113,237$ STAFFING: Memorial Field 0.84 0.87 0.90 0.90 1.00 GOALS FOR FY 2019 1. Educate and monitor users to retain self-service process and reduce maintenance and operations costs. 2. Increase field use by revenue generating activities during available times. 3. Maintain the grass playing service for maximum durability given heavy, multiple purpose uses. 4. Seek the most efficient maintenance practices and equipment to reduce costs and enable more maintenance in the other parks. 5. Continue the annual athletic field treatment program that was lost during the budget cuts during the Great Recession. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 575.20 – Memorial Field OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2019 1. Investigate reducing mowing and increasing mow height as a means to reducing maintenance costs 2. Conduct coordination, training, and follow up meetings with field users to decrease field maintenance and operations costs 3. Schedule regular field treatments of aeration, fertilization, over seeding, and sanding to keep the athletic field healthy and durable 4. Utilize the liquid paint line sprayer to reduce lining costs and provide better service 5. The athletic fields are useable and playable during the sports seasons PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: Memorial Field Indicators UNIT 2015 Actual 2016 Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Planned 2019 Planned Number of event days Days 111 174 180 160 165 Average Staff Hours per Event Hours 11.33 7.14 7.26 8.64 7.15 Average Maintenance and Operations Cost of Memorial Field per Event 1,088$ 571$ 625$ 893$ 781$ SUMMARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES: Memorial Field is a valuable and unique resource in Jefferson County: only lighted athletic field in Jefferson County, only athletic stadium in Jefferson County, only public athletic field in Port Townsend, home field for Chimacum and Port Townsend high school football programs, home field for Port Townsend boys and girls high school soccer, key field for County Rec spring and fall soccer league; critical for recreational adult soccer and softball, used for sports training camps such as Bellevue High School Football, Port Townsend Soccer, and Seattle Academy Soccer. Memorial Field plays key role to the Rhody Festival, the Wooden Boat Festival, car shows and other community events. It serves the Jefferson Community School, pick-up soccer games, and is home to WWI, WWII, and Vietnam War Memorials. Memorial Field requires an experienced and professional maintenance staff capable of addressing unusually complex issues such as: “How can an athletic field that is critical to the local high schools and the community also be used for car shows, heavy carnival equipment, and more?” “What is the safest way to set up and manage an athletic field for high school football and soccer, as well as recreational soccer and youth football?” “What day to day and ongoing maintenance treatments will keep the systems in an older facility complex functional and safe under constant heavy use?” “How can we safely manage the day to day flow of back to back events, over 160 per year, while providing excellent service to the many partners who count on us?” The 2019 budget continues a partial solution to the need for experienced staff at Memorial Field that was initiated in 2018. By working with the Roads Maintenance Division, and the Parks Maintenance program; existing part-time staff maintenance positions are combined to one full-time position. This improves Memorial Field maintenance by increasing retention and experience level of the staff person serving in the position. Overhead such as benefits, equipment, training, management and support are also shared; increasing productivity across the board. Other benefits of this collaborative approach stem from working outside organizational ‘silos’. These include ease of communication between staff, facilitation of equipment sharing, opportunities to cooperate in supply purchases, cross-fertilization of innovations and new ideas between professional fields, and the access to teams in the completion of larger projects. “Hybrid Vigor” is a good metaphor for the proposed approach. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 575.20 – Memorial Field Annual athletic field treatments including aerification, top dressing with sand, over-seeding, fertilizing, and adjustment of PH, were suspended in 2009 due to budget cuts caused by the Great Recession. The lack of annual treatments since that time resulted in unplayable athletic field conditions at Memorial Field in 2017. Emergency measures were taken, which included working with a contractor to provide aerification and top dressing, as well as the application of seed, fertilizer, and PH adjustment amendments. Annual athletic field treatments reinstated in 2018 will be continued in 2019, helping to insure a useable athletic field. Given its value to the community, ongoing capital maintenance is important to Memorial Field. Progress has been made including the donation of an irrigation system in 2010, the installation of a new roofing system in 2015, and the successful RCO grant application for a new lighting system which was completed in 2018. Though progress has been made, a maintenance backlog still exists at Memorial Field. The following table provides more information. Memorial Field Maintenance Backlog Issue Impact Remove or replace the fence The fence is failing, periodically sections blow down in the wind Americans with Disabilities Act access should be evaluated Access to the field, the stadium, and the restrooms for individuals with disabilities should be evaluated Athletic field playability A large crown and several small valleys have developed in the athletic field. The field should be re-leveled. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 576.80 – Park Maintenance MISSION: The mission of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is to improve the health, welfare, and safety of the citizenry; protect the environment, and promote economic development through state of the art recreational and educational programs and facilities supported by public tax revenue, fees, grants and private donations. The vision of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is not to serve every purpose, but to lead towards cooperation and comprehensive community solutions. 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 REVENUE:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request Transfer from Parks Improvement 15,000$ 15,000$ 15,000$ 15,000$ 15,000$ Other Revenues - Rents, Leases 8,466 9,217 6,622 8,050 7,250 Transfer from Hotel/Motel 28,140 50,297 41,625 42,874 General Fund Revenues 230,547 275,826 261,605 254,472 280,778 Total Revenues 254,013$ 328,183$ 333,524$ 319,147$ 345,902$ 2016 2017 2018 2018 2019 EXPENDITURES:Actual Actual Projected Adopted Request Salaries/Benefits 133,799$ 163,879$ 188,898$ 177,804$ 187,234$ Supplies/Small Tools 13,782 28,068 19,234 16,000 20,800 Professional Services 1,795 222 340 5,100 500 Other Services/Charges 66,065 84,327 73,675 69,265 77,995 Captial Outlay 1,865 Interfund Services 38,572 49,821 51,377 50,978 59,373 Total Parks Maintenance 254,013$ 328,183$ 333,524$ 319,147$ 345,902$ STAFFING: Parks Maintenance 1.87 2.45 2.49 2.49 2.59 GOALS FOR FY 2019 1. Increase the safety, productivity, and sustainability of the parks maintenance system through collaboration and cooperation with the Roads Maintenance division. 2. Address the parks maintenance backlog using a variety of means including RCO Grants, and additional local match. 3. Continue to support and utilize a high level of partnership and community involvement in parks maintenance such as volunteerism, park adoption, and the caretaker/camp- host program. 4. Encourage and support park repairs and projects by donations. 5. Increase professional staff maintenance especially in the busy season. 6. Continue the annual athletic field treatment program to restore and maintain athletic field playability and durability. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 576.80 – Park Maintenance OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2019 1. Continue collaboration with the Roads Maintenance Division to share one full-time employee. 2. Retain, equipment, train, develop and invest in highly skilled and experienced maintenance staff. 3. Enhance service and support for park volunteers working in the Adopt-a-Park program, the caretaker program, and the camp host program in order to create a more sustainable volunteer system. 4. Find local match through donations and general fund requests, and apply for RCO grants based on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan as well as input from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. 5. Work with staff to adopt changes in the approach to parks maintenance based on best practices. 6. Develop projects on the CIP. 7. Ensure athletic fields are in good condition during the sports seasons. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: Parks Maintenance Indicators UNIT 2015 Actual 2016 Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Planned 2019 Planned Maintenance Staff Hours Available per Acre of Parkland Hours 2.28 2.12 3.25 3.21 3.21 Maintenance Staff Hours Available per Park Hours 133 144 199 198 198 Average Annual Funding Available per County Maintained Acre 220$ 235 293 287 310 Average Annual Funding Available per County Maintained Park 12,745$ 13,732$ 17,175$ 16,854$ 18,142$ Reservations at HJ Carroll Park Reservations 167 216 203 200 200 SUMMARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES: Maintenance staffing levels have been inadequate since the 2009 layoffs. Meanwhile, park, campground, athletic field, and facility use has increased concurrently with the economy. The parks maintenance system (with only one employee who is full-time) has over-used volunteers, clerk-hire, caretakers, camp-hosts, and contractors in an attempt to compensate; but the current situation is unsustainable. A team with only one full-time employee cannot maintain 19 parks (many of which are highly developed). This budget continues a partial solution initiated in 2018. Through collaboration with the Roads Maintenance Division, one full-time position serves in Parks Maintenance, Memorial Field Maintenance, and Roads Maintenance. The increase in salary and benefit costs is shared. Other overhead costs such as vehicles, equipment, training, and management are also shared. The productivity and sustainability of the Roads Maintenance Division, the Memorial Field Maintenance program, and the Parks Maintenance program are increased through investment, retention, training, and development of an experienced, highly skilled, and well equipped maintenance person. Public Works JEFFERSON COUNTY 2019 BUDGET REQUEST BUDGET: Parks and Recreation 174-000-010 PROGRAM: 576.80 – Park Maintenance While park, athletic field, and road maintenance may appear to be relatively straightforward to the casual observer, in actuality they are complex, involve a variety of independent decisions, and require a depth and breadth of skills and experience. Examples include: (1) using power equipment and heavy machinery in public parks and roadways, (2) applying good judgement to insure safety of oneself as well as the general public, (3) interacting with individuals and groups throughout the day as a representative of Jefferson County, (4) making decisions regarding day-to-day and long-term maintenance activities in complex systems such as athletic fields, public trails, streetscapes, buildings, and landscapes, (5) mastery and knowledge of the details of existing systems such as drainage, water supply, electrical, road surface, septic, and biological, (6) and functioning as part of a larger group by applying interpersonal skills such as communication, empathy, compassion, self-denial, teamwork, and active listening. By creating a full-time position, this budget proposal increases the capacity of Parks Maintenance, Memorial Field Maintenance, and Roads Maintenance to fulfill this complex assignment. In 2017 and 2018 parks and recreation achieved a Lodging Tax/Tourism Promotion grant to re-open and operate the Lake Leland and Quilcene campgrounds and day use areas. The program is a success, and the level of service in the campground and day use areas is outstanding. Maintenance of Oak Bay, Quilcene, and Leland Campgrounds is based entirely upon renewal of this grant in 2019. Staff, and the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board toured and inspected the entire parks system in 2018. Findings include over 100 repair projects such as; removing derelict buildings at Gibbs Lake Park (completed in late 2018), stabilizing the restroom building at North Beach Park, improving access to the Salmon Shelter at HJ Carroll Park, replacing the roof at Quilcene Park (completed in 2018), replacing the missing basketball backstop at Courthouse Park, and resurfacing the tennis court at Courthouse Park. The total maintenance backlog in all the parks is over $4,000,000. In 2018 parks maintenance was able to accomplish a certain number of projects by utilizing a mix of one-time general fund allocations, volunteers, grants, contractors and staff. Examples include ongoing restoration and trail building at Irondale Beach Park, trail construction at Gibbs Lake, replacement of the Quilcene Campground picnic shelter roof, replacement of the playground fence at the Port Townsend Community Center, increased athletic field maintenance, and replacement of some signage. Similar efforts will continue in 2019. The RCO match requirement reductions planned for 2018 apply to Jefferson County, reducing the match requirement in the WWRP Local Parks program to 35% from 50%. This reduction may make future projects more feasible.