Below are some of the most common budget questions we have received from our stakeholders and constituents. If you have any questions for Regional Parks, please send to parksinfo@saccounty.net. We will answer your question to the best of our ability and post on this site.

To view Regional Parks and County budget issues, visit the the Office of Budget and Debt Management.

• What is the percentage of funds that are left in the self-funded parks programs?
  For proposed Fiscal Year 2010/11, revenues generated by the self-funded programs total $3.9 million.  The Golf Fund generates $8 million in golf fees, which are used to operate the golf program; this program is fully self-funded.  The remaining $1 million in discretionary revenues and $1.67 in General Fund allocation are dedicated to the maintenance and rangers programs for the American River Parkway.
  
  
• How long are we going to rely on mitigated funds to fill budget gaps?
  During budget hearings for FY 09/10 last fall 2009, the Board of Supervisors agreed to fund 3 Park Rangers for two fiscal years (Fiscal Years 2009/10 and 2010/11) with Habitat Restoration Program fees.
  
  
• What can we use Measure A funds for?
  Measure A funds can be used to maintain, operate and improve the American River Parkway bike trail as an alternative transportation corridor.   Some American River Parkway maintenance and ranger staff are being funded by Measure A funds, and in addition, improvements (such as sealing cracks) are being made to the bike trail. 
  
  
• How much money do kiosks generate and where does that money go?
  For Fiscal Year 2009-10, parking fees charged at the kiosks generate $900,000 for Regional Parks; Park annual passes generates over $400,000, for a total of $1.3 million.  These revenues are allocated to the maintenance and ranger patrol for the park system.
  
  
• What kind of supplies do the rangers have to purchase?
  First aid and first responder supplies (such as rescue boards and AEDs), vehicles, radios, guns and ammunition, citations, park maps and other brochures, office supplies, computers, and cell phones.  In Fiscal Year 2009/10, 13% of the overall ranger budget was dedicated to supplies. 
  
  
• What is the ARP maintenance budget and where does the money go?
  This budget of $2.3 million in Fiscal Year 2009/10, funds the maintenance staff that cleans restrooms, maintains the trails, picks-up litter and empty garbage cans, responds to dumping and vandalism, makes repairs to fencing, provides fire breaks, and other tasks that protect the parkway, its visitors and resources.  This budget also funds all utility costs, toilet paper, garbage can liners, mowers, tractors and power tools, etc.
  
  
• How much of the funds that Regional Parks generates do we have discretionary control over?
  The discretionary revenues for Parks are the general fund allocation and kiosk and annual pass revenues.  In Fiscal Year 2009/10, these revenues total $3.2 million dollars.  In Fiscal Year 2010/11, these discretionary funds (approximately $2.67 million) are used first to fund Regional Parks allocated and fixed costs, and the balance of available funds are allocated to maintenance and ranger programs. 
  
  
• What are the allocated costs assigned by the County? Specifically…
  Allocated and fixed costs include:
  
• Worker’s compensation
• Unemployment insurance
• Liability insurance
• Property insurance
• Technology services and support
• Facility use charges (office space rent)
• Radios and telephones
• County and agency overhead
• Assessments on lands
• Department of personnel services
• Surplus properties
• Mail and messenger services
• Alarm and security services
• Accounting and fiscal services
  
  
• What about potential increased litigation costs for those who get injured on the Parkway with less maintenance?
  The County is self-insured, and Regional Parks pays into this self insurance fund. Any increase in claims will be factored into future charges for the department. 
  
  
• Labor contracts don’t build in economic downturn contingencies?
  No.