The Orcas Island Recreation program has the rest of the month to secure community pledges.
After that, its future is up in the air.
During a private meeting on April 7, county council members Richard Fralick and Gene Knapp met with Orcas Rec coordinator Linda Sheridan, Orcas Rec advisory board member Bob Phalan and Orcas Park and Rec District commissioner Bob Eagan to discuss funding of the program.
“We’re just trying to figure out … a strategy to get the rec program through the summertime,” Fralick told the Sounder. “There is no money in the county’s budget to provide support for Orcas Rec, so they need to be self sustaining. After three months, their program is in the red, so we need to come up with a plan to get them out of the red.”
Phalan said at the date of the meeting, Orcas Rec was behind budget by $4,700.
“Please note that historically Orcas Rec was able to stay out of the red the first quarter because the County gave us $16,500 each year. Orcas Rec will not receive this funding in 2010. Without this, the program goes into the red until our busy season (May-September),” said Sheridan. “We are doing everything we can to cut program costs and staff costs for 2010. The two year-round staff members have been reduced to 20 hours a week and they are also taking voluntary furlough to help reduce costs. Several programs have been cut and all user fees will increase this year.”
Fralick said the county council needs to see a “very coherent, concrete plan” showing exactly how the Orcas Rec program is going to meet their budget this summer.
According to Sheridan, the current 2010 budget of $120,000 breaks down as follows: $52,000 expected from user fees, $12,000 from grants and events, and $56,000 from individual donations, including fundraisers and program sponsors. The individual donations category is composed of $4,800 in received donations, $9,550 in pledges as of April 9, $18,650 expected from planned fundraisers, and $23,000 needed in individual donations.
“We are looking for more pledges to cover the $23,000 in individual donations. These pledges can be made now with the understanding that you will donate later in the year. Orcas Rec needs to be able to show the County Council that we have the community support it will take to keep us open in 2010… Thank you to those who have already pledged!” said Sheridan.
Orcas Rec is a different entity from the recently established Orcas Park and Rec district, which was approved by voters last November but is not yet funded. The Orcas Park and Rec board of commissioners is currently working on a tax proposal that will be on either the August or November ballot. If the levy is approved, the district hopes to include Orcas Rec in its list of funded programs.
Fralick said Orcas Rec has the month of April to devise a plan and secure pledges.
“Orcas Rec is not being shut down, (but) that still is an option, dependent upon the community stepping up,” Fralick said. “It would be a real shame if they can’t make it happen, but everyone is working real hard to make it happen.”
Sheridan asks that if you plan to donate to Orcas Rec this year, please let her know by emailing Linda Sheridan at lindas@sanjuanco.com or calling 376-5339.
