Board hears water-rate impact, irrigation meter gaps and NRPA findings on park value

At its Dec. 5, 2024 meeting, the Park Advisory Board received two informational items from Parks & Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy: a summary of a City Council-approved water-rate increase and a briefing on the National Recreation & Park Association(NRPA) 2024 Engagement with Parks report.

Kennedy said the City Council approved a water-rate increase at its Dec. 2, 2024 meeting that will affect the Parks departmentwater budget for 2025. He cautioned that the departmentcannot yet provide a precise estimate of the financial impact because irrigation meters at Traditions Park and Shorty Combs Park did not function during the 2024 irrigation season, so the 2024 baseline usage figures are unreliable.

Kennedy also summarized key findings from the NRPA report, which is based on an annual national survey. He highlighted several statistics from the report: 86% of respondents said proximity to high-quality parks, playgrounds or recreation facilities is important when choosing where to live; 91% of U.S. adults agree that parks and recreation are a valuable service provided by local governments; and 92% of respondents said it is valuable for local and state governments to sufficiently fund parks and recreation, with 72% of adults describing such funding as highly valuable.

Kennedy characterized parks and recreation as contributing to public health, social connections and educational opportunities; he told the board the report shows continued strong public support for sufficient funding to ensure access and inclusion. The board took no formal votes on the water-rate or NRPA items; the water-rate change had been approved previously by the City Council and was presented to the board for awareness and planning.

The meeting concluded with routine adjournment: Mr. Webb moved to adjourn and Mrs. Musgrave seconded; the board adjourned at 6:07 p.m.