Board restores small parks irrigation funding, library and history center cuts draw public concern

As part of the community services service group, staff recommended reductions to parks, libraries and golf that they said would reduce general‑fund support while meeting the board's rebalancing targets.

Lisa Howe presented the community services package, which recommends a $388,000 reduction across the group and a $534,000 general‑fund reduction in parks and recreation (4 positions eliminated, contracted grounds work proposed). The library's recommended reduction was about $235,000, largely for books and materials.

Chair Ortiz Legg moved to reverse the proposed $48,000 reduction in irrigation services and fund the restoration from contingencies; the board approved the motion. The chair also directed the CAO to work with Parks to develop a long‑term drought‑resilience strategy that evaluates turf, alternative water sources, and community engagement. "I move that the Board reverse the proposed 48,000 reduction in irrigation services to be funded from contingencies," the chair said.

Public speakers from the History Center highlighted the archival and research functions that could be compromised by funding cuts. Thomas Kessler and Britney Webb emphasized the center's role preserving county records and providing documents used in preservation, development and grant work, and urged the board to seek partnership or contract solutions instead of eliminating county support.

Board members asked staff to study partnerships, preservation needs and options for a contracted service model and to return with recommendations later in the year.