Title
Update on Open Space and Parkland Preservation Program
Memorandum
In 2004, an RFP was released to hire a consultant to implement the Open Space and Parkland Preservation program (aka, Greenbelt Millage). In January 2005, a two year contract was signed with The Conservation Fund to provide needed staff for the program. In the fall of 2006, in anticipation of the contract expiring with The Conservation Fund, another RFP was released for the program implementation. In January 2007, a three year contract was executed between the City and The Conservation Fund. In January 2010, the contract with The Conservation Fund will again be expiring. Since this program has been operating for 5 years and the contract with The Conservation Fund will be expiring in early 2010, I thought it a good time to provide you with an update on the Program. It is my intention, based on the program needs and financial status of the program outlined below and in the attached spreadsheets, to release an additional RFP for the work during fall 2009.
1. Fund Balance (as of June 30 2009):
Total Available Funds: $16,395,816
Greenbelt Advisory Commission portion $11,847,534
Park Advisory Commission portion $ 4,548,282
The millage is a 30-year millage, which will expire in 2034. It is anticipated that in addition to the current fund balance listed above, an additional $1 million will be available per year for land acquisition projects, to be split between the two commissions. This is based on approximately $2 million in millage revenue annually, minus approximately $1 million in bond debt service paid annually. The proportion split for the Greenbelt District and in-City parkland acquisitions is based on a 2/3 allocation to the Greenbelt and 1/3 allocation to in-City park acquisitions.
2. Greenbelt Acquisitions:
a. Accomplishments: Completed 12 acquisitions on 1,320 acres, totaling almost $10.1 million spent by the City, with an additional $1.4 million from landowner donations, $...
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