The Honorable Mark R. Warner
Officer of the Governor
State Capitol, Third Floor
Dear Governor Warner:
Please provide adequate funding for the State Park System in your outgoing budget. As you know, the Park System suffered severe budget cuts during the 2000-2003 time frame. The 2004 budget was pretty much a “hold the line” in terms of 2003. The 2005 budget was a very positive step in the right direction. We need to build on the 2005 budget and continue to increase the Park System’s funding.
Using the budget that was enacted this year as a baseline and adjusting that baseline for known unmet needs, we believe that the following budget increases are realistic needs for the State Park System:
· Operations – an additional $15 million, including funding for 148 additional positions (252 currently authorized + 148 = 400 total positions needed).
Last year, the Department of Conservation and Recreation determined that it needed a total of 349 positions for the Park System (195 authorized at the time + 27 new included in your budget + 127 additional = 349).
The Virginia Association for Parks believes that the Park System should have 400 total positions and that the 51 additional positions (400 – 349 = 51) should be targeted to full time program specialists such as Interpreters, Outdoor Adventure Program Leaders, Environmental Specialists, etc.
The knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to develop and provide the programs that park visitors desire simply cannot be obtained with part-time, seasonal staff. But, today, these positions (if filled at all) are primarily filled by part-time, seasonal workers who do not receive full state benefits and who do not have the education and training requisite to full performance per these job descriptions.
It is important to note that the
National Parks, many local parks, and parks in surrounding states fill these
kinds of positions with full-time, professional employees. It is also important
to note that with a total authorized position level of 400 positions, the
Commonwealth would still be at or very near the bottom when compared to other
Southeastern States.
·
Replacement of antiquated and unsafe
vehicles and equipment - $5 million.
·
Phase I development of
six new parks acquired through bond referendum resources and ready to come
on-line during this budget term - $50 million.
·
Annual operating costs of the six new parks in
the first year they are on-line - $ 2 million.
·
Deferred Maintenance – The Park System currently
faces an inventory in excess of $200 million in deferred maintenance projects.
If not all, a significant dollar amount should be applied toward reducing that
inventory. If not addressed at some point, projects will simply continue to
deteriorate over time and it will become even more costly to address them.
Governor Warner, the State Park System is an invaluable resource for the Commonwealth, returning to State and local coffers multiple amounts in terms of return on investment. Thus, the State should not be reluctant to appropriately fund such a resource. We consider the budget amounts set forth above to be the minimums acceptable, hope that you find the foregoing information useful, and want you to know that we stand ready to assist you in any way feasible.
Sincerely,
Johnny Finch, President
Cc: The Honorable W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.
Joseph Maroon
Joe Elton