The Emporia Recreation Commission officially closed the books on fiscal year 2019-2020 and opened the books for fiscal year 2020-21 Monday evening.
During their monthly meeting, the board officially approved a budget with just over $4.1 million in its general fund. The only significant changes from the previous fiscal year was a 35 percent increase in the budget’s reserve and a slight increase in the capital outlay budget.
As previously reported, this year’s budget will also see a reduction in expenses by seven percent. This followed a decrease in May revenues of 85 percent.
Rec Director Tom McEvoy has stated he took a “cautious approach” to assemble this year’s budget due to the possibility of unforeseen developments with the COVID-19 pandemic. He tells KVOE News he is confident that approach will pay off in the coming year.
In other business, the commission formally approved the discontinuation of its agreement with Emporia State University for the operation and maintenance of the Trusler Sports Complex. Discussions on this action have been ongoing for the past several years according to McEvoy as the ERC’s utilization of the complex has steadily become less cost-effective.
The ERC will now move its activities previously held at Trusler, namely its summer softball leagues, to Santa Fe Park. The ERC’s decision follows previous action by the City of Emporia back in 2014 after all three entities entered into the original agreement back in 1993.
Separately, the board elected its new officers for the upcoming year. Dave Harding was elected to serve as commission chairperson replacing Mike Helbert who was elected to serve as vice-chairperson.
Ryan Karjala was elected to continue as secretary and Stephanie Dreasher was elected to continue in her role as clerk of the board.
McEvoy and ERC leadership team supervisors also delivered their monthly updates to the commission. The ERC will next meet Monday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 pm at the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
