Open Space Proposed 2011 Budget

Open Space creates its budget on a 5-year basis. This allows for planning of trail and park capital improvements. Revenues for the program are approximately $33,000,000 per year (2010) with a projected 2% annual growth. In addition Open Space may realize a $1,700,000 savings in 2010-2011 by refinancing the 2001 series of bonds this fall.

The five-year budget is summarized in the table below. Significant items include an annual 3% increase in Operations and Management. Note that the County is proposing freezing salaries for 2011. Internal costs, for those services provided by other County agencies, are anticipated to be at or slightly below 2010 levels. Addition of two staff members are included – a Park Services Specialist (service to restrooms, shelters, and parking lots) and a Trail Specialist (trail maintenance and construction.) There has been only one staff person added to the Park and Trail Maintenance Staff since 2002.

No significant capital expenditures are anticipated. The acquisitions budget primarily covers land lease payments and water assessments. Note that property acquisitions are paid from the Bond Fund account which is not included in the budget. The Bond Fund balance presently is about $8,000,000.

Park and trail development plans are budgeted at an average of $2,000,000 per year and for 2011 include:

Hildebrand Ranch Park: Trailhead facilities – restroom and picnic shelter (The Jeffco Open Space Foundation will be contributing $20,000 toward these facilities.)

Reynolds Park: Design of trailhead facilities for the connection to the Colorado Trail.

White Ranch Park: paving of the West entrance road.

Pine Valley Lodge: continue exterior restoration of the Baer Lodge.

South Table Mountain: Entry road, trail head, restroom, and parking lot from Quaker Street.

Crown Hill Park: Continue to phase in surfacing more trails with crusher fines.

Apex Park: Improving the East trailhead parking lot plus a restroom.

Van Bibber Trail: planning for the regional trail from Van Bibber Park to the Fairmont Trail. Construction is scheduled for 2010.

Auxiliary Shop: $200,000 is included in 2011 to finish funding the shop. A design/build contract will be approved in 2010. The shop will be adjacent to the Fossil Trace maintenance facility on County-owned land.

Future Developments: $400,000-$500,000 in 2012 to 2015 for not yet determined development.

Joint Venture Grants will be maintained at $2,000,000 annually and $300,000 is being reserved to assist R-1 in installing synthetic turf at Alameda High School.

Note that the Designated Reserve is Statemandated and becomes available in the next budget year.

Five-Year Budgeting Strategy – values are in Millions $