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Volunteers urge council to spare Rand Park flower‑bed vouchers as budget cuts considered
Summary
Volunteers who coordinate 39 adopted flower beds at Rand Park asked the council to preserve a $4,000 voucher line used to buy plants and supplies; the council debated the item and ultimately voted not to eliminate the funding after community input.
During public comment at Monday’s council meeting, Crystal McGee, who identified herself as coordinator for the city’s Rand Park adopt‑a‑bed program, told the council that volunteers plant and maintain 39 beds around the park and that the city’s $4,000 voucher line helps cover materials. "If that is cut, that is a main attraction to Rand Park," McGee said, describing how the beds support photos, weddings and regular park use.
McGee explained vouchers vary by bed size (average roughly $100 per bed) and that volunteers provide the labor; she and other speakers warned that requiring volunteers to cover the entire cost likely would lead many adopters to drop out. Council members acknowledged the civic value of the displays but said the city must weigh that against a large budget gap.
A motion to eliminate the $4,000 flower‑bed funding was moved and seconded. Following discussion and public comment, the motion failed on a roll call vote. Council members later suggested alternatives the parks staff could explore, including local grants, fundraising and shifting some discretionary park funds to help preserve critical elements of the program.
Ending: Parks staff and volunteers will explore grant options and other outside funding; council asked staff to report back if new funding is identified.
