Fee hikes, program cuts at parks & rec
The city of Yuma’s parks and recreation department was the hardest hit by this year’s minimum wage increase, and it’s had to adjust fees and eliminate programs to compensate for the fiscal year 2017-18 budget.
“We increased the majority of all our program fees by approximately 10 percent,” said parks and recreation director Debbie Wendt. “We had to reduce some of our programming that was minimally attended.”
She said that included trimming down summertime volleyball tournaments from three to one and cutting back on the senior volleyball program. Other possible cuts will continue to be made, if necessary.
The minimum number of program participants, Wendt said, is eight. If there are fewer people than that before the program starts, it’ll likely be cancelled. She said they’ve had to eliminate certain programs entirely in the past due to a lack of participation.
For the remainder of this fiscal year, the city says the minimum wage increase adds about $82,000 to the budget. For fiscal year 201718, they say it’ll be about $200,000 — maybe more.
And it’s only going up from there.
The voter-approved minimum wage hike in the state makes the hourly wage $10.50 in 2018; $11 in 2019; and $12 in 2020.
“The increase in program fees and the reduction of program is primarily due to the increase in the minimum wage,” Wendt said. “And we’re going to be seeing that all the way through 2020.”
The department — with a $17 million proposed budget for the coming fiscal year — might have to cut back further through 2020, she said, depending on whether
or not it can find an “alternative funding source.”
Grants are a minimal, but valuable source that the department has looked toward more and more recently.
About two and a half years ago, she said the city hired a grant writer for parks and recreation, which has allowed them to go after more than $1 million in funds.
“We’ve more than paid for her salary,” Wendt said, talking about the grant writer. The department has been awarded more than $250,000 in that time period, and is “almost approved” for a $350,000 grant in conjunction with the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area to help finish the West Wetlands beach project.
“We’re aggressively seeking grants,” she said, noting that they’ve also applied for a $500,000 grant to do more work at West Wetlands — specifically between there and Gateway Park.
Another source of excitement is the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex, which is scheduled for completion in mid-August.
The department has booked four completely new tournaments at the facility, Wendt said. A total of 22 are booked as of now, she said, though parks and recreation is currently working on 10 others.
While revenues will come in from team registrations and concession sales, the city says the real benefit will be the economic impact of people coming in and using hotels and restaurants, replenishing the hospitality tax that is building the $13.1 million complex.
Wendt said the goal is to have a minimum of 33 tournaments booked annually, though the ultimate goal is every week of the year. She noted that while it’s primarily a softball and baseball complex, it could be used for soccer, flag football and other sports.
Another way parks and rec is looking to offset costs is through donations and programs like Adopt-aPlayground and Adopt-aTrail.
With the Adopt-a-Playground program, Wendt said the department is targeting the equipment at Smucker Park for replacement, which will cost roughly $47,000. “Our Adopt-a-Playground is if any organization, any business (or) any individual is interested in adopting that and contributing,” she said.
Adopt-a-Trail is more about trail improvement and volunteers cleaning trash on a regular basis.
Breaking even on the city’s golf courses, or making them profitable, is also a goal in the next couple of years. Wendt said the department has cut back on staffing there and has been more efficient with course maintenance.
And as the minimum wage continues to increase — every dollar will count.
Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of stories that will discuss the city of Yuma’s proposed fiscal year 2017-18 budget. The preliminary budget adoption is set for the April 5 regular council meeting.
“We’re aggressively seeking grants,” she said, noting that they’ve also applied for a $500,000 grant to do more work at West Wetlands — specifically between there and Gateway Park.