Skaters for Portland Skateparks

Sorry about the short notice on this one. There is a meeting tonight: Community Budget Information Meeting on November 30 to discuss FY 2010-2011 budget. I asked if we should show up to talk about our priorities and they said no.

I have heard otherwise.

Here are some talking points:

1. thanking Commissioner Fish and Director Zari Santner for their
   commitment to serving Portland’s youth through the development of
   public skateboard parks,
2. gently reminding them community need is far from met.
3. Portland’s skaters understand the economic downturn means
   resources are not immediately available for skatepark development as
   they were in 2006 and 2007. As a result,
4. skaters understand the pace of skatepark development has needed to
   slow. But,
5. We look forward to supporting passage of the Parks levy intended
   for 2010, which will include dollars for the Steel Bridge project as
   well as skatespots.

It is not clear if this is the right place for a bunch of skateboarders to show up to advocate for skateparks to be included in the proposed parks levy but we know what our budget priorities are.

Public Priorities and the Parks Budget: Community Budget Information Meeting
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on November 30 to discuss fiscal year 2010-11 budget. Benson High School, 546 NE 12th Avenue.

Community Budget Information Meeting on the Portland Parks & Recreation budget process for fiscal year 2010-11

The public is invited to join Parks Commissioner Nick Fish, PP&R Director Zari Santner, and senior PP&R managers in a discussion of the budget process

As Portland Parks & Recreation starts the budget planning process for fiscal year 2010-11, the City of Portland continues to face uncertainties from the ongoing financial crisis, including reduced state and federal funding and reduced General Fund discretionary dollars.

As with the development of the current year’s budget, the City will take a conservative approach in preparing next year’s bureau budgets.

What does that mean for Parks? It is likely, given the financial climate, PP&R will be asked to prepare reductions from ongoing operations. Last year the bureau reduced its General Fund discretionary budget by 5%, or approximately $2 million. That reduction translated into the loss of twenty positions, including three park planners, as well as increased program fees.

This year’s financial forecast could require looking at a similar level of reduction from the already reduced budget. Commissioner Fish and Director Santner are seeking the public’s input and ideas for where the bureau can identify priorities, save money through efficiencies, increase revenues, or make reductions.

Childcare is available at the meeting by calling 503.823.5113 before November 25.

Current information on the FY 2010-11 budget planning process for Portland Parks & Recreation can be found online at www.portlandonline.com/parks/budget.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm and is filed under Activism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.