Parks approve $4.7M budget

National Trail also moves ahead with downtown ice rink.

The National Trail Parks and Recreation District’s budget is approximately $4.79 million this year, up about $40,000 from last year, according to figures released Monday.

Board members unanimously approved the budget at their monthly meeting, held at the NTPRD administrative office. The park district’s budget was approximately $4.75 million last year.

NTPRD Chief Executive Officer Leann Castillo said the budget is based on projections for this year. She believes revenues will increase, if the weather cooperates.

“We hope we can achieve those goals,” Castillo said.

NTPRD is funded through contributions from both the city and the county, as well as a countywide parks and green spaces levy. The city contributed approximately $1.1 million in operating funds, while the county contributed $25,000.

“We’re happy to maintain our same level as last year,” Castillo said.

The 5-year, 0.6-mill property tax levy with the Clark County Park District, passed in 2011, is projected to generate approximately $1.1 million this year. NTPRD receives approximately 72 percent of the money, while the CCPD collects the rest. The funds are used for maintenance of parks and green spaces, not its revenue-generating operations like golf or the swimming pool.

Castillo said they’ll collect approximately $449,511 in levy funds for the first half of this year, up from $378,360 last year at this time.

The district’s general fund will be about $1.3 million this year. The district’s golf fund — which helps operate three courses, Reid Park Golf Courses and Snyder Park Golf Course — is about $1.8 million. The district will spend approximately $872,000 on personal services.

The district is in the first year of a three-year plan to help make its golf courses self-sustaining after the city spent $170,000 in 2012 and $175,000 in 2011 to help cover golf operating deficits.

NTPRD recently increased golf fees for the first time since 2008 and also cut payroll to help keep all three courses open in 2013.

The district has $7.3 million in its capital fund, but a majority of the money will be spent on the construction of the downtown ice arena, which began last month. Castillo said the group plans to use capital dollars this year to improve the Snyder Park lagoons and the multi-purpose trail system. They’ll also receive $50,000 from the city to make capital improvements to its golf courses.

In other news, NTPRD golf superintendent Bob Arnold resigned on Friday. Castillo said a search for a new superintendent will begin immediately.

Reid Park has also reopened after being closed for a few weeks. The course will be open daily, depending on weather.

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