Committee Meeting November 6
Board Room
2117 West River Road N Minneapolis, MN 55411
PUBLIC HEARING 6:00 p.m. TIME CERTAIN
Public Comment on the Superintendent's Recommended 2014 Budget
(Highlights from Superintendent Jayne Miller)
Sound Financial Management and Fiscal Responsibility:
This budget reflects a zero percent property tax levy increase and focuses
on maintaining our facilities and programs while offering important new
programs and services. The budget also reflects an investment in addressing
the threats to the urban tree canopy, by recommending the establishment of
the Tree Preservation and Reforestation levy to address Emerald Ash Borer
infestation and tree loss due to storms. This budget continues the support to
improve the Enterprise Fund and Internal Services Funds financial
condition. The budget also continues the multi-year initiatives to provide
system-wide reviews of facilities needed to meet today’s recreation and
operational
demands and establish a long-range facility reinvestment strategy that
aligns demands with available resources.
Organizational Performance Initiatives:
This budget continues the implementation of initiatives resulting from the
organizational performance project work. An in-depth assessment of our
trash hauling and recycling program resulted in changes that optimize labor
and equipment to improve safety, efficiency and productivity. Review and
reorganization of department structures continued and will improve internal
operations and coordination, and result in streamlined services to better
serve the external customers.
Enhancing Service Delivery:
This budget includes expanded Recreation Division programming with the
implementation of a new day long summer camp program, the addition of two Rec
Plus sites, and the opening of the Webber Natural Filtration Pool and
winter ice rink. The organization commitment to community engagement continues
with expanded translation and interpretation services offered by the
Community Outreach Department. This budget also includes expanded Planning
Division services through the addition of staff funded by direct project work
to
address the significant increases to the capital program and a strong
organizational focus on completing system-wide
activity plans and park master plans.
The MPRB began the 2014 budget process with the Board retreat on June 12,
2013 and will complete the budget process in December when the Board
formally adopts the 2014 Annual Budget. This budget is the culmination of a
great
deal of work, including thoughtful consideration and input from the Board
and staff.
The full draft budget:
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/documents/about/budget/2014/2014_Recommended
_Budget.pdf
Thanks,
Scott Vreeland
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Commissioner District # 3
(612) 721-7892