Because the City Council rejected a proposed parks fee, APRC says it faces a $1.4 million reduction in spending
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
The Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission will hold a special budget meeting Monday to consider the status of the APRC 2026-27 budget and various fees, according to the meeting agenda.
The meeting will not be televised and will be held as a hybrid meeting, both in Zoom and in-person. Those wanting to attend on Zoom must contact APRC no later than 10 a.m. Monday. Written testimony will be accepted, but there will be no public forum. For more information and to see the agenda, click here. (See correction below)
The City Council’s rejection of a parks fee — as reported by Ashland.news — will mean a budget reduction of $1.4 million for the 2026-27 biennium, according to Parks & Recreation.
“The department is currently reviewing each object code per program to estimate the additional savings (with impacts) to reduce the reductions proposed for restroom closures, pool operation, ice rink operation and some programs traditionally managed by the environmental education program. The current information on this will be reviewed at the meeting,” an agenda item states.
In other business Monday, staff are returning with additional information on changes to fees for sports fields and exclusive site use, according to an agenda item. Additional miscellaneous fees and charges have been adjusted closer to market rates, with gradual increases. Commissioners will review the fee changes but miscellaneous fees and charges will be coming before the City Council for approval during its May 20 meeting, the agenda item said.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the council chamber, 1175 E. Main St. The meeting can be viewed on Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (for Charter Communications) or live stream via rvtv.sou.edu (select RVTV Prime). Public testimony will be accepted in person for those who fill out a speaker request card in the Council Chamber.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.
Correction: The original version of this story did not include that the meeting will not be televised and will be a hybrid meeting.
