Parks director previews phased projects and Crandall design work; donations funds clarified

Ethan Jacobs, the county parks director, spoke to commissioners about priorities in the parks millage budget and said many projects were deferred into a three-year capital improvement plan so the department can finish what’s feasible each year. Jacobs noted feasibility and design work for Crandall road and beach development is under way and, if the full project is approved, total construction expense will be presented next fiscal year.

Controller Dawson told the board administration plans to include a parks section in next year’s CIP to provide long-term strategic planning and clearer public storytelling about how millage dollars are spent. The board also reviewed a parks donation fund: in-kind gifts such as benches or material donations are accepted through the parks director and may be accounted for in a separate donation ledger; cash gifts can be handled through the director as well.