Elkhart parks board approves $150,000 annual budget item for picnic tables, benches and trash cans

The Elkhart City Parks and Recreation Board approved a memo on July 15 authorizing the purchase of picnic tables, benches and trash cans from the department's annual appropriation.

Jamieson told the board the department has an appropriated budget of $150,000 for the year for picnic tables, chairs and benches and asked for approval to move forward with purchases. Board members asked how the department would dispose of old items; Jamieson said items with resale value would be put through the city's disposal/auction process and metal without value would be scrapped and recycled.

A motion to approve the purchase memo was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members said they would review designs through a small subcommittee to keep amenity styles consistent across parks. Jamieson said staff would show design options to the board before final procurement.

Board members also requested that future packets include photographs of items or targeted installation sites in advance. Staff agreed to provide photos in meeting packets to help board review.

The memo was added to the agenda mid-meeting via a formal amendment motion and then approved as part of the revised agenda and subsequent vote.