Council approves six‑month extension and larger stipend for Oak Ridge Youth Association

The Town of Oak Ridge Town Council on Jan. 9 approved a six‑month extension of the 2024–25 parks use agreement with the Oak Ridge Youth Association (ORYA) and authorized raising the spring stipend from $15,000 to $19,000, by a 4–1 vote.

Councilmembers and staff said the six‑month extension will allow a working group time to finalize a new longer-term agreement and align the association’s schedule with the town’s fiscal year. Parks and Recreation staff recommended the temporary increase to $19,000 to give the newly elected ORYA leadership additional operating credit during spring registration and while a broader contract review proceeds.

Adrian Eckenard, speaking for Parks and Rec during the meeting, said the recommendation emerged from the advisory board’s discussion: the increase “gives them that much more here in the spring, for us to kind of figure out new usage, new fees that might curtail for a new agreement.” Philip Southern, the incoming ORYA president speaking during public comment, told council the stipend request grew from a growth‑based projection model and said, “I’ll make sure that projection model and where the 19,000 number came from … I’ll make sure that you receive it.”

Several councilmembers said they wished they had more notice and detailed data before the meeting; one said the updated figure was presented to the Parks and Rec board only at its most recent meeting. After discussion, the council approved the agreement extension and the amended spring stipend by voice vote, 4–1.

Councilmembers asked staff and ORYA to provide usage and fee‑collection data during the six‑month period to inform the next contract.