The Emporia Recreation Commission essentially held three meetings in one Monday evening.
The first of three was to officially close the books on fiscal year 2017-18. Secondly, commissioners approved the finalization of the 2018-19 budget which had been trimmed by five percent from $4.3 million to $4.1 million.
Rec Commission Director Tom McEvoy assured the change would have no effect on services and operations.
McEvoy also presented commissioners with an estimate on updated security cameras at the east and west entrances for the Lee Beran Recreation Center. The need came about after multiple incidents of vandalism in the parking lot. The cameras are the same model and quality used by turnpike authorities in several states, including Kansas and Texas, and are capable of picking up license plate numbers regardless of light quality. McEvoy calls the new cameras “a big advantage.”
Another item on the regular meeting agenda was a look ahead to the commission’s joint meeting with the Emporia City Commission on July 25. The meeting will serve as a time for the ERC to update city commissioners on current happenings at the Rec Center.
Officers for 2018-19 were also appointed during the meeting and commissioners heard from ERC Leadership Team members with updates on upcoming sports programs, the Jones Aquatic Center and the newly redesigned website. Marketing Supervisor Jennifer Bennett announced the website launch date has been moved back to August 1 to ensure staff receives adequate training with the new site.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20.
