The Winchester-Frederick County Virginia Consolidation Project
Parks and Recreation Unification Sub-committee
Kevin Anderson, Chairman
Proposal for the unification of the Parks and Recreation Departments
of the City of Winchester and the County of Frederick
-- as of March 16, 2006
CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE SUMMARY
TO: Consolidation Steering Committee
With the assumption the intent of this unification effort is the complete consolidation of the two local governments; our committee recommends the merging of the Parks and Recreation Departments be done in a manner consistent with that goal. Therefore, we suggest consolidation placing full responsibility for all parks and recreation facilities and programs, on an area wide basis, under the direction of City Council or the Board of Supervisors.
Using this approach, all park and recreation facilities, personal property and human resources of one organization would be transferred to the governing body responsible for Parks and Recreation services for the area. The transfer of facilities and personal property would be made without payment because these assets would continue to serve the residents of that community and when total consolidation of Winchester and Frederick County is accomplished, ownership would appear to be no longer an issue. Also, when transferring employees from one locality to the other, it would be necessary to complete an equalization of salaries and employee benefits. This should not be a major issue when dealing with these departments; however, these adjustments would result in additional start up costs.
Policy Making - Policy would be made by the governing body charged with the responsibility for the unified department. This would be done with recommendations from staff and a citizen's advisory committee. The advisory committee, made up of residents from each locality, would be appointed by the Winchester City Council and Frederick County Board of Supervisors with representation to be determined by the governing bodies. These approved policies would govern the delivery of leisure services for both localities and ensure an equal level of service for all area residents.
Administration - The consolidated department would operate under the leadership of the City Manager or County Administrator. The department's organizational structure would be developed by the Parks and Recreation Director and approved by the governing body responsible for the department on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and Chief Executive Officer of that locality.
Personnel policies and procedures, and fees and charges of the locality responsible for the department would apply. Also, the salary schedule and employee benefit program of the locality responsible for the department would serve as the guide when completing the equalization of salaries and benefits for the consolidated department. It appears the unified department would include approximately 70 full-time employees, over 500 part-time employees and oversight for more than 500 volunteers.
Finance - The responsible governing body would act as the fiscal agent for the new organization and their Finance Department would provide the necessary support. Each locality would have the same per capita charge for recreational services and, because this would be a department serving the entire area, capital expenditures would also be charged at an equal rate. Under this financing plan, the level of service for the city and county would be the same. If it was determined additional services were needed by the city or county, the cost for those added programs would be paid by the appropriate governing body.
The unified department's budget would support a Recreation Division's management of leisure activities for over 93,000 residents and include; a before and after school program at 15 elementary schools, sports and athletic programs for youth and adults, fitness activities, therapeutic recreation, senior activities, aquatic programs, special community events and support the operation of four existing community centers. The Parks and Maintenance Division would maintain the three existing regional parks, 15 neighborhood parks and trails, athletic field and grounds maintenance at 17 Frederick County Schools and possibly the athletic fields and grounds at seven Winchester City Schools.
All existing contractual agreements would be reviewed and dealt with in an appropriate manner. All future and renegotiated agreements would be evaluated and implemented based on their support of the mission of the unified department.
The total fiscal impact has not been determined; however, there would be start up costs tied to training, hardware and software, office space, furniture and fixtures, and salary equalization.
By using this model for unification, you would avoid the need for any further changes to your Parks and Recreation Department as our two local governments become one.
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This page last updated 03/16/06 by RWK - Webmaster
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