Carson City Parks, Rec propose $4.7 million budget

A $4.7 million Carson City Parks and Recreation Department budget recommendation and steps toward a key land swap won support Tuesday from a citizens’ commission.

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously in favor of the department’s Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget, which is up about $400,000 from this year’s. Reasons include additions like funding for the Nevada State Fair. The Nevada 150 Fair last summer was the city’s first such effort. This second one July 30-Aug. 2 will be overseen by the department for the first time.

Roger Moellendorf, department director, said that aspect added more than $165,000 next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The first half-year operation of the multi-purpose athletic center now under construction also will add $132,000. Another $30,000 is for the city to host an Epic mountain bike challenge ride the summer of 2016.

Moellendorf said the budget also envisions two part time hires to help with recreation programs, reinstatement of a custodian at the Carson City Community Center and some spending of general fund money for capital outlays to replace a pickup truck and do an aquatic facility upgrade, He said there hasn’t been general fund capital money available in recent years and those are priorities determined earlier.

The vote was 5-2 with one abstention on a motion to move forward with steps needed to effect a proposed land swap involving 20 acres owned by W. Michael Fagan along U.S. Highway 50 West near the Clear Creek interchange and almost an acre of vacant park property at 1020 Buzzy Ranch Road. Appraisals will be necessary if Carson City’s Board of Supervisors will want to explore and possibly act on the recommendation.

“It could be land for land,” said Moellendorf. “It could be land and money for land.” Without appraisal information, it’s an open question. Open Space Administrator Ann Bollinger said old data regarding other land in the U.S. 50 West/Clear Creek interchange area, land with less ease of access, valued a property at about $200,000. But she didn’t hazard a guess on what the Fagan property is worth.

The goal is a trail there, perhaps a trail head as well.

Lori Bagwell, the city supervisor who represent the governing board on the commission, was one of commissioners voting no. She said she wasn’t interested in using residential construction tax (RCT) money to help make up any difference if a land exchange included a value gap, but she indicated during the earlier budget discussion there might be open space money available to consider such a deal so she indicated an open mind absent RCT financing.

In other action, the commission heard an update on disc golf, with supporters saying they have $1,000 raised and more in pledges, to use for such a course when the city commits on property for one. Commissioners also were told of plans by Jacob Wolz, Eagle Scout candidate, to bring together 20 or more volunteers to paint dugouts and backstops on a Saturday at Governors Field as his scouting project.