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Board reviews budget estimates, festival losses and master-plan priorities including restrooms and trails
Summary
Board members reviewed park budget figures (prior improvement allocation ~$60,000, maintenance line $40,000 with typical spend ~ $18,000), discussed rolling unspent funds into next year, considered a $5,000 'rainy day' disaster line, and prioritized restrooms and trails in the master plan.
The Awendaw Municipal Park Foundation Board reviewed budget figures and master-plan priorities at its Jan. 21 meeting, focusing on how to allocate limited funds for maintenance and improvements.
A board member who compiled the packet said prior municipal park improvement funding was roughly $60,000 and recommended rolling about $35,000 of remaining funds into the next fiscal year to enable a larger improvement budget. The presenter said the maintenance budget line is set at $40,000 but that actual annual maintenance spending has typically been nearer $18,000; a festival loss (referred to in the packet as the 'offest') was cited by the presenter as about $20,000 and contributed to a shortfall. "If we roll the 35 and we assume we could still have 60 a year for park improvements...we could spend 95 in the park," the presenter said, explaining a scenario for next-year spending.
Board members raised options: create a park-managed allocation for discretionary improvements (the presenter’s draft included a line that would allow the park board to spend a specified allotment without council approval), establish a small annual disaster-recovery reserve (suggested $5,000/year), and prioritize lower-cost master-plan items such as trails and temporary restroom solutions (porta-toilets) before committing to permanent restroom construction. Members discussed accessibility and regulatory constraints for permanent facilities in potential flood zones and the need to coordinate with Charleston County and building services for compliance.
The board asked staff to refine proposed budget allocations, confirm historical actuals for maintenance and festival revenues/expenses, and identify specific items to recommend to council during the council retreat and subsequent budget review.
