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Town and county kick off Parks & Recreation funding review; rec center revenue drives debate
Summary
Staff presented a Parks & Recreation joint-powers review and cost-of-service analysis showing the rec center supplies most department revenue; elected officials debated population-based splits versus jurisdictional capital allocations and agreed to more analysis before any decisions.
Staff presented an overview of the Parks & Recreation joint-powers agreement (JPA), the 2024 memorandum of understanding and a cost-of-service analysis that staff said will inform future funding and governance choices.
Taylor [last name in transcript garbled], the presenters and parks staff told the joint meeting the current population-based funding split historically used is about 54/46 (county/town) but the 2024 MOU phases to a 62/38 split in the town's favor. Staff said the rec center generated about $2.9 million in revenue in fiscal year 2025 and that the department's net operating costs and a five-year capital plan (presented by staff) will heavily influence how any split affects each jurisdiction.
Staff outlined three lenses for decisions: a simple net-operating split by population, jurisdictional cost-of-service for capital projects located in a specific jurisdiction, and the phased MOU toward 62/38 by July 1, 2027. They recommended a straightforward net-operating ratio to minimize administrative burden and suggested capital improvements for facilities located in one jurisdiction could be funded by that jurisdiction to keep accounting clean.
Board members pressed staff on data limitations (ZIP-code residency vs. physical address), whether capital projects such as pathways and river management should remain jurisdictionally funded, and how new acquisitions would be handled. Commissioners and councilors noted the rec center accounts for the bulk of department revenue and that membership and day-pass residency data can fluctuate, complicating jurisdictional allocations.
Jessica Kellett, chair of the Parks & Rec advisory board, asked to participate in the JPA governance discussions and said the advisory board expects to vote on recommendations at its Feb. 12 meeting to bring forward to the joint bodies.
No formal action was requested or taken at this meeting; staff said the county will return with further analysis in March—May and that key items (Fire/EMS, Parks & Rec, STAR/transportation) will receive priority review.
Next steps: staff will provide additional data (membership residency, capital project lists and CIP-based capital allocation scenarios) and return to each jurisdiction for separate decisions before another joint meeting.
