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Parks staff present financial‑sustainability policy and cost‑recovery targets; board to review before November fee schedule
Summary
Parks staff presented a financial‑sustainability policy framework Sept. 10 that proposes a community benefit hierarchy, multi‑year capital replacement planning and cost‑recovery targets; no formal vote was taken and staff will return with fee comparisons.
Parks department staff presented a draft financial‑sustainability policy to the Zionsville Board of Parks and Recreation on Sept. 10 that would set priorities for spending, formalize a capital‑replacement plan, diversify revenue sources and establish cost‑recovery targets for programming and facilities. The board discussed the framework and asked staff to return with comparative data before adopting a new fee schedule in November.
Jared, the parks superintendent, outlined a tiered “community benefits hierarchy” that would prioritize public funds for services that provide broad community access — parks, trails and large community events — while encouraging higher cost recovery for programs that serve narrower populations. Under the draft, balanced programs (youth sports, camps, special events) would aim for about 150% cost recovery of direct operational costs; services that primarily provide exclusive or individual benefits (shelter reservations, garden plots, dog‑park memberships) would target about 200% cost recovery.
Staff proposed that the parks department expand its capital planning to include a 20‑year capital‑replacement schedule alongside the five‑year capital‑improvement plan, and to formalize the nonreverting capital fund (fund 4403) as a replacement‑fund mechanism. Jared said the department currently holds about 112% of one year’s operating in cash reserves but that new pressures (cited as state legislation SB 1 in discussion) will increase scrutiny on spending and require more deliberate prioritization.
Board members praised the work but asked for comparative benchmarking. One board member recommended staff upload local data into the National Recreation and Park Association’s benchmarking tool (NRPA agency performance review) to compare Zionsville’s metrics with peers. Members also discussed maintaining a scholarship or financial‑assistance mechanism; staff said a camp scholarship pilot previously drew fewer applicants than available funds and was later sunsetted, but board members asked that a reserve be kept or a mechanism preserved in case needs arise.
No action was taken on the policy at the meeting. Staff said they will apply the proposed cost‑recovery formula to existing programs and present program‑level fee comparisons and financial‑assistance options before the board considers formal adoption and a November fee schedule.
