Flagstaff commissions approve five-year parks, recreation and open-space capital plan

The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Commission voted to approve a jointly reviewed five-year capital improvement plan funded by the city’s BBB (Bed, Board & Beverage) recreation special revenue on a roll-call vote during a joint meeting.

Staff presented the plan and the fund structure, noting the city’s policy to maintain a minimum 20% fund balance and that the commissions receive 33% of the BBB tax for parks, recreation and open-space capital uses. Rebecca Sayers, parks and recreation staff, said recent revenue estimates were reduced from prior projections, in part because of fewer international tourists, and that the budget uses conservative assumptions to preserve capital capacity.

The plan allocates funding across a range of projects and categories. Staff said transfers out to the general fund for day-to-day operations and maintenance total approximately $2,610,939, a gateway number that the budget team intentionally flattened in recent years to create more capital capacity. Staff distinguished one-time "capacity" dollars that are appropriate for projects from ongoing capacity that would be required to fund positions or regular operating commitments.

Major projects highlighted include the substantially complete Flushing Master Park (final cost reported around $2,275,000 with minor punch-list work remaining); Highland Mesa (Westside) neighborhood park, where about $1.47 million remains for design and construction; Heritage Square restroom remodels budgeted at $250,000 (concept design cost about $5,000 so far); and Ponderosa Park reconstruction in Sunnyside, which staff proposed to fund with $530,000 from BBB recreation plus a $500,000 matching grant (HUD/Block Grant) to reach a $1,030,000 total project budget for neighborhood rebuilding after flood damage.

Open Space items were included for the first time under BBB allocations after a council ordinance change. Robert Wallace, open-space staff, described a McMillan Mesa trail rehabilitation project with $150,000 proposed and an in-kind match used to apply for an additional $150,000 from Arizona State Parks RTP (Recreation Trails Program), and an $800,000 future-year allocation for open-space land acquisitions intended to advance the commission’s 10-minute-access goal.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about how the 20% minimum fund balance appears in the spreadsheet, the decline in investment earnings in out-years, and how operating and maintenance (O&M) costs will be covered if trails and park amenities expand. Staff reiterated that general-fund supplements and grant seeking are part of the long-term strategy to address O&M shortfalls.

Commissioner Fox moved to approve the Parks, Recreation and Open Space five-year capital improvement plan, a second was recorded, and a roll-call vote followed. Commissioners on both bodies recorded ‘aye’ votes; no opposition was recorded on the meeting record and the motion passed.

The commission directed staff to continue pursuing grant matches, to maintain clarity between one-time capital allocations and ongoing expenses, and to return to annual review of the plan. The meeting record shows staff will monitor placeholders and estimates as grant outcomes and final contract prices are confirmed.

Next steps: staff will present budget materials to the city manager’s division review next week, the city manager’s office will include recommendations in the revenue budget that goes to City Council in April, and the council votes on the final budget in June.