Title
Discussion on Options to Account for and Report on Parks Arts and Recreation Department Funding
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss options to account and report for Parks Arts and Recreation Department funding
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss options to account for and report on Parks Arts and Recreation Department funding
Staff Contact:
Nanci Lien, Fiscal Services Director, 360.756.8465
Jonathon Turlove, Director of Planning and Maintenance, Parks Arts and Recreation Department, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
Nanci Lien, Fiscal Services Director
Jonathon Turlove, Director of Planning and Maintenance
Background and Analysis:
In 2015, Olympia voters approved Proposition 1 which created the Olympia Metropolitan Parks District (OMPD). The proposition provides ongoing funding through special property taxes to acquire, maintain, operate, and improve parks. Collection from the new tax began in 2017. The OMPD is governed by a Board composed of the Olympia City Councilmembers. The OMPD exercises powers given to metropolitan park districts in state law, including levying property taxes and contracting with the City of Olympia to perform District functions.
The OMPD Board created an advisory committee to provide transparency and public reporting on the use of OMPD and other dedicated City of Olympia Parks funds. An Interlocal agreement between the City and the OMPD was approved in 2016 and amended in 2018. The Interlocal agreement states the process for limiting and controlling the OMPDs annual budget and property tax levy. The agreement specifically states:
1. The City shall include in its annual General Fund Operating Budget revenue to support the Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (OPARD) projects, program and services in amounts necessary to meet or exceed the minimum funding. The calculation is based off of the 2015 adopted net budget for OPARD of $4.4 million, which was 11% of the General Fund r...
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