$1-$1.3 million Parks & Recreation budget shortfall being addressed in 2012
As more people are affected by the ongoing economic recession, discretionary spending is dropping. As a result, fewer people are signing up for City recreation passes, classes and programs offered through Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation. In 2011, Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation saw a 20 percent drop in recreation revenue, which is forecasted to continue in 2012.
Complicating this drop in City revenue is Clark County’s recent decision to suspend park planning and development through the Greater Clark Parks District. Clark County contracts with Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation for some park services, including planning and development. County budget actions will affect Parks and Recreation once staffing plans are set for 2012 and beyond.
These factors will result in the City of Vancouver addressing a shortfall of $1-$1.3 million in its Parks and Recreation budget in 2012. This does not mean that parks or recreation centers will close, but there will be substantial changes to what services are offered and the way services are delivered.
The City is catching the trend early so that it does not continue past the first quarter of 2012. It’s hard to make tough choices like this, but the city is operating like a business and taking action early to help sustain remaining Parks and Recreation services over the long haul. The goal is to stay ahead of the downward trend.
Staff is now developing several new options to correct the shortfall to be phased in by April 2012. More information about operational reforms and potential layoffs will be available in the coming months.
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