Committee approves parks fee bump; funds earmarked to finish Bob Newton Family Park
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Summary
The committee approved a $0.50 monthly parks fee increase to help complete Bob Newton Family Park and support other park improvements after staff described a $360,800–$398,200 schedule of park-related spending and project components.
The Keizer Budget Committee approved a $0.50 monthly parks fee increase on May 13, a measure staff said will mainly support completion of the Bob Newton Family Park project and other park improvements in the coming year.
What staff presented: the parks-related transfer/budget items include an estimated budget line (in the presentation) of approximately $360,800 and then a larger figure near $398,200 (different lines cited in the presentation for transfers and project costs). Bill Lawyer (staff) summarized the work described in the budget: resurfacing, relocating the tennis court slightly south to free parking space, constructing paved parking stalls along the alley (not paving the alley itself), and a 6-foot-wide concrete pedestrian path connecting Mandarin Way to the relocated tennis court and new playground. Staff also identified other anticipated park needs in future years, such as playground replacements, skate-park maintenance and equipment rotation.
Why the fee: staff said the parks fee increase would bring an estimated $84,000 in additional parks revenue and that the revenue would be used to finish the Bob Newton Park project and other capital items. Committee members asked for the parks board to be more closely involved in long-range planning and asked staff to include a capital-improvement plan and projected sinking-fund list in future materials.
Committee guidance: the committee approved the $0.50 fee increase and directed staff to continue work on the Bob Newton completion tasks and provide follow-up materials on schedule and outreach. Councilors discussed outreach and whether the project timeline could be split over multiple fiscal years if additional fund-raising or state matching funding became available.
Quote: - Bill Lawyer, staff: “The bulk of that is for completion of Bob Newton Park … resurfacing and, I’m gonna say, relocating the tennis court a little bit to the south to provide more room for parking … and then connecting over to the new playground.”
Next steps: Parks staff to implement the capital work plan funded by the adopted fee increase, provide a timeline for completion and report back to the committee and council on progress and any supplemental appropriations if necessary.
