Budget Question # 060: Capital Improvement Program (Page 6.2/9.8): What is the fiscal impact of the 2 FTE funded by the Open Space Acquisition & Development capital project? What remaining expenditures are funded by this project? Is there open space acquisition envisioned over the 10-year plan for this project? (Mayor Wilson)

Response: 

The two full-time employees funded from the Open Space Acquisition & Development capital project total $274,800 in FY 2023 and $3,449,300 over the 10-year plan.  The remaining funding levels indicated are dedicated to open space acquisition and development needs to meet the City’s open space goal of 7.3 acres per 1,000 residents.  This funding level is an average of $362,300 per year, for a total of $3.6 million over 10-years.

In 2020, staff began the process to develop an Open Space Policy Plan with the newly reinstated Open Space Steering Committee.  The Policy Plan will provide recommendations on methods of pursuing new publicly accessible open space and provide guidance on the implementation of open space goals. The Committee’s work will continue to the end of calendar year 2022.  Their recommendations will inform decisions on the prioritization of open space sites for acquisition.   

The purpose of Open Space Acquisition & Development has been primarily to accumulate funding to acquire properties.  The Open Space Policy Plan will provide direction on identifying new high priority sites for acquisition.  The approach will be multi-faceted and take into consideration new open space that is promised through the Small Area Plan developments. Acquisition sites may address equity and target where gaps exist in the park and recreation system, as well as areas of high service needs in underserved populations.

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