In the Recreation Department materials and services will increase about $83,000 over what is es- <br />timated to be received during the current fiscal year. Most of the increase is that we budget maxi- <br />m um income and expenditures forsentor trips and we didn't have as many expensive senior trips <br />so less was spent on senior trips this year. (For example, we budgeted $190,000 for next fiscal <br />year and are estimating to spend $118,107 a $71,893 decrease.) Recreation capital outlay has <br />$5,000 budgeted for recreation equpment. <br />The Special Payments section has various payments that don't fit In the various departments or <br />are easier to categorize In this section. Health reimbursements pay for a portion of the deducti- <br />bles and hospitalization that Is not covered by our insurance. Flextease payments are for the <br />play structure, modularclasroom, roof, vehicles, and tennis courts. Umemployment andworkers <br />comp payments and copy machine lease payments are also budgeted In this section. The last item <br />Is the contingency fund. The proposed contingency fund Is $237,032 for the 3% proposal, <br />$254,059 for the 2% proposal, an $224,307 for the 2% plus Increasing salaried staff work hours. <br />The current year's contingency fund was $332,324.7his reduction Is mostly the result of reduced <br />beginning cash carry -over. NOW There Is never any estimated expenditures from the contingency <br />fund because we have to transfer funds from the contingency fund 'to the appropriate depart- <br />ment In order to pay for the expense. <br />Taxes hopefully will increase approximately 3 %. The current fiscal year we only received 2.7% <br />minus the $15,240.78 we lost for the Hynix successfuly appeal of their assessed value. On page 7 <br />of the budget document It shows that our budgeted cash carry over of $425,000 will drop to <br />$225,00 - $250,000 at the end ofMO08 -09, around $100,000 at the end ofMO09 -10 and a deficit <br />at the end of M010-11. Obviously, the park district can't operate with a negative cash carry- <br />over so severe budget cuts would have to be made. The possible changes in health insurance cov- <br />erage would help without having to reduce staff levels, but it wouldn't sole the problem In the <br />long run. Without any additional f7nancial assistance from the City of Eugene and if tax revenue <br />further declines because of annexations to the City of Eugene and a housing downturn which re- <br />duces assessed valuations Increases for homes In the park district, then the operation ofthe park <br />district will not any way resemble the programs and activities that we presently have. <br />The question then Is what are our options. Below are considerations that the Board of Directors <br />and staff are looking at: <br />• Pursuing a joint session with the Eugene City Council to get them to understand that <br />there is a major problem in the River Road area which we feel Is partly the responsibility <br />of the City of Eugene. Also, to try and change their minds on additional funding which the <br />City of Eugene staff has will not happen. <br />• If additional funding is not going to be provided by the City of Eugene, then hard dect- <br />sions have to be made about future expenditures and revenue Increases. <br />• Other options Include, besides severe budget cuts, a serial levy to restore activities, con- <br />tracting out with the City of Eugene, or the City of Eugene having an annexation vote to <br />determine what services residents of River Road Park District are willing to pay for. <br />The2008 -09 budget still maintains the present level ofservices. Future decisions will decide what <br />type of park district operation, If any, we we have In the future. It Is not a pretty picture, but we <br />have to deal with It. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Im Lockard, Superintendent <br />A <br />