Thursday, March 28, 2024

Manson Parks Board talks budget for 2019

No funds available for playground upgrade

Posted

MANSON – In a three hour meeting, the Manson Parks Board voted to adopt the budget for the upcoming year, plus the change of rates at Old Mill Park.

The Parks’ budget will be impacted the most by the increase of minimum wage. In 2019, it will go up to $12 per hour.

At the same time, they will be looking into speeding about $53,000 in equipment. Parks needs to upgrade the maintenance truck they currently own. In order to do so, they are looking into purchasing a smaller truck similar to Chevy Colorado. Their budget for the truck will be no more than $28,000, according to Parks Director Robin Pittman, they purchasing a used truck.

An office vehicle is also needed, $16,000 has been designated towards this purchase. The plan is to replace cars/equipment every five years from then on.

Also budgeted for equipment, is a new pay station for Old Mill Park, this will cost $9,000 and will be ADA compliant.

Parks will also invest some money into the Parks Program. The budget for 2019 will be of $2,500 for the program. “We are trying to put together kind of a fundraiser for Singleton and doing that we can have like concert, or we can do movie in the park, music in the park,” said Pittman.

As part of the program, Pittman is also hoping to do an ice skating event down at Town Toyota Center.  

Parks will be taking about $37,000 from the reserve fund to balance off the 2019 budget.

The Board also debated for majority of the time on new rates for launching passes for Old Mill Park. Pittman had two rate options for the Board;

    •    Keeping a flat rate for all the people who purchase the annual launching pass
    •    Increase the annual launching pass by $5 for residents and non-residents

At the moment, Manson residents pay $35 for their annual launching pass, non-residents pay $45.

After further discussion the Board agreed to increase the rates by $5. Starting in January the annual launching pass for residents with a Manson driver’s license will be of $40 at the time of purchase. While non-residents will be able to obtain their annual pass for $50.

In other business, Viki Downey requested the Board’s permission to honor long time Park’s Director Lanny Armbruster with a memorial for him and his father Edward Armbruster.

The Board agreed to Downey’s request and they have asked for her to bring some memorial designs for the next meeting.

Pittman reported that the Manson Chamber of Commerce will be honoring Viki Downey with the first annual Viki Downey Polar Bear Swim. The swim is scheduled to take place during Winterfest in Manson, Jan 26, 12:30 p.m. at Manson Bay Swim Area.



 

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