The Sedalia Park Board approved its proposed Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget during Thursday night’s meeting.
FY18 will mark the last $250,000 payment from the Sedalia Parks and Recreation Department to the Sedalia School District 200 for Jennie Jaynes Stadium, for a total cost of $1 million. The FY18 budget also includes the remaining $400,000 for the Vermont Park project, which will cost an estimated total $875,000.
Two smaller special projects are also included: renovating the Hubbard Park basketball court ($152,582) and repairing the Liberty Pool bath house ($40,000).
“We want to start fresh, put a new surface down, new basketball goals, we want to fence it, put up new lights,” Park Director Mark Hewett told the Democrat after the meeting about the Hubbard project.
Hewett said the bath house has settled and has a crack in the foundation. It is not a critical need at this time, so this fall work will begin to support the base better, he said.
Along with short-term capital purchases of a Gator ($20,000), a copier ($9,000) and a truck ($23,000), the total capital expenditures/special projects is $894,582 for FY18.
With the city’s projected 1.5 percent increase in sales tax revenue for the coming fiscal year, along with Parks and Rec fees, the proposed FY18 budget is balanced.
The FY17 budget included $515,000 for the Vermont Park project, which is underway. Hewett said the project is on schedule for a June 1 completion date. So far sidewalks are being installed, work is beginning on both parking lots, including curbing, and ground work has started for the shelter house. One of the biggest differences, the large ditch is about two-thirds covered and the culvert is in.
“I think it’s caused a lot of excitement,” Hewett said of the Vermont Park construction. “I just think when we get it done, I really think it’s going to be money well-spent, and I think it’s not just a park improvement, it’s a neighborhood improvement.”
During the meeting the board also:
• Approved changing an existing Maintenance Tech III to a Field Supervisor, which includes an approximate $2,500 increase in salary. Hewett said this will help the Maintenance Department have an additional supervisor. It will take effect April 1.
• Approved a bid of $27,477 from Polygon for the Vermont Park shelter. The bid is only for the 24-foot-by-44-foot structure, as the concrete and restrooms will be constructed by Parks and Rec staff.
• Rejected bids for a commercial mower lease. The project will be re-bid to clarify the specifications.
• Approved the City of Sedalia Personnel Policies, effective March 6.
Members Les Wolpers, Rhiannon Foster and Kristy Woolery were absent.
