The park board met Wednesday at noon at The Armory to discuss putting a potential sales tax on the ballot in April.
Mayor Jay Tune attended the meeting to discuss particulars and to urge the board that if they want to keep the park the way it is, they need to campaign for a sales tax increase.
The park budget was about $275,000 this past year. There’s $305,000 budgeted this year, but that doesn’t include capital improvements.
“I think a 0.375 sales tax would be nice for the park,” said Tune.” It would raise about $400,000. The city is going to have to do something, because we cannot operate on reserves anymore.” Tune was adamant that the city itself will not be campaigning for the tax to be put on the ballot. That’s up to the park board to write up and champion. “If it gets on,” said Tune. “It’s something this board will do.”
“Based on last year’s sales info,” said Board President S.N. Ball, “a ½ cent sales tax would raise $563,998, a ¼ cent sales tax would raise $281,999, and a ⅛ cent sales tax would raise $140,999 for the park.” The mayor mentioned that while a 0.25 sales tax would be a good boost, it won’t run the park, and it won’t cover park employee’s salaries. That’ll take at least a 0.375 sales tax increase, Tune said. If the tax is put on the ballot and passed in April, it will become effective immediately.
“A 0.375 percent sales tax would do a significant amount on capital improvements that we’ve never gotten done. Ever,” said Park Director Greg Nash. “It would cover expenses and provide about $100,000 additionally for either much-needed capital improvements, or to build up the park’s reserves.”
One needed improvement mentioned was the filling in or fencing off of the open creek. “It’s a wonder someone hasn’t fallen in there and hurt themselves,” said Tune. “It’s a dangerous thing.”
“If we had a nice park, we could keep more money here,” Melissa DuBois said during the meeting, noting that many people are traveling elsewhere for recreation, such as the renovated Licking Aquatic Center or Rolla Lions Club Park. Park renovations could lead to more sponsored tournaments and activities which would bring more tourism to Salem.
One of the main contributors to the deficit is the pool. “The pool is an albatross,” said Ball. “It’s the biggest sink in the parks and recreation budget.”
Nash mentioned that this past year, in the summer, there were about 40 part-time park employees, lifeguards included. It was also mentioned that if this tax does not pass, either rates will have to change, or the pool might be shut down altogether.
Tune said that the reason an additional tax is needed is because the city has done a poor job of keeping up with costs, specifically with regards to utility increases. Salem presently has one of the lowest sales tax rates in the state at 6.725 percent, Tune said. Rolla operates at 7.350 percent; Licking 7.725 percent, and Steelville 8.975 percent, according to the Department of Revenue.
If the tax does not pass, employees could be cut in every department – across the board – in addition to a potential utility increase to keep park funding at its current level, says Tune.
“No one wants the tax,” said Tune. “But no one wants a utility increase either. … The city is looking to the aldermen and the mayor to sink our teeth into things. If they see that we’re willing to cut some fat, residents will see that the city is trying to manage better.”
Once the park board finalizes the writing of the ballot measure, the aldermen will have to approve it, and the city would certify the ballot language Jan. 22, 2015, Tune said.
• In other park-related news, it was recommended by the board to place an additional porta-potty by the T-ball field during the May, June and July season for convenience purposes. Also, Nash mentioned that the tennis courts would be repaired that week. The board also debated getting rid of the skate park, as it’s a hot spot for vandalism. Ball suggested to take the park away and “see what happens,” in regards to a response from the community. A pavilion was suggested to be erected over the concrete pad in its place. City Administrator Ray Walden stated after the meeting that the park board made a recommendation to remove the skate park, but first needs to check the grant language, and run the idea by the board of aldermen.
