Park District Board meeting

The Park District Board met today to receive the annual report from the Park District, and to discuss and adopt the 2016 budget. The board is comprised of the nine sitting Seattle City Council members. Al nine members were present.Agenda

The Park District presented their report on 2015 activities and the details of the 2016 budget.

$28.4 million will be spent on the “Fix it First” major maintenance program. $4 million goes to maintaining parks and facilities; of note they are expanding night shifts so that maintenance work can be done without closing parks during the day. $3.5 million will be “Programs for people” including community centers, and programs for youth, seniors and people with disabilities. $10.4 million is for “Building for the future” including new properties and improving existing ones.

The Aquarium was given particular discussion, given the negative impact that the seawall construction is having on them.

The Board approved the several legislative items required to implement the 2016 parks budget, including authorizing the property tax levy approved by the voters.

Park District Board chair Godden concluded the meeting by noting that this is her last meeting as chair, and she thanked the staff for their good work.