Quincy Park Board gets look at fiscal 2023 budget, approves fee increases for programs and services

QUINCY — Quincy Park District officials got their first collective look at the fiscal 2023 budget Wednesday night.

The budget shows a planned deficit of $1.84 million, most of which is the planned result of scheduled spending of revenues and fund reserves to pay for upcoming capital projects. The deficit represents 21.4 percent of cash reserves. Park Board President John Frankenhoff said the terminology is always confusing to the general public. 

“This is done every year,” Frankenhoff said.

Approval of the budget is expected at the regularly scheduled Dec. 14 board meeting.

The Park Board also will vote on Dec. 14 to set aside $1.8 million from its corporate fund, with:

• $375,000 for the Wavering shelter/restroom and all-inclusive playground.
• $800,000 for the Westview Golf Course irrigation system replacement.
• $625,000 for the section of the Bill Klingner Trail from Parker Heights Park to Lincoln Park.

“The district is in excellent shape financially, maybe the best it ever has been,” Frankenhoff said. “The money talked about has been set aside to take care of some big-ticket items in the future.”

Total fiscal 2023 budgeted revenues are forecast to be $6.53 million, up about $690,000 from the 2022 budget. Total expenditures for fiscal 2023 are predicted at $8.38 million, up $1.21 million from the 2022 budget. 

The board also approved the tax levy ordinance for 2022 property taxes, designed to generate tax revenue for general and special operational expenses of the district as approved by the board in the fiscal 2023 budget. 

The tax levy for budgeting purposes, in the amount of $2,336,715, may decrease the district’s revenue by $33,018 and represents a 1.4 percent tax revenue decrease. This is based on the EAV increasing by 2.0 percent. The district’s tax rate would actually decrease from the 2021 rate of .33160 to .32057. 

In other matters, the board approved:

• A 25-cent fee increase for 2023 for all activities at the Batting Cage, including batting machine, miniature golf, paddleboats, kayaks and bicycle rentals. Miniature golf rates will be $6.25 for those 13 and older, $5.50 for 12-under and $4.25 for seniors 62 and older. Director of Program Services Mike Bruns noted all equipment in the hitting cages will be replaced in early 2023.
• A 5.5 percent interest rate for the annual purchase of general obligation bonds that are used for a variety of improvement projects.
• A $25 increase in the turf field all-day rental and the four-hours-or-less rate. A $5 increase in all other rates for fields and lights was also approved. Bruns said the increase will cover additional costs for repairs needed due to increased usage. The all-day rate is now $225, the four-hour rate $125. The hourly rate for lights usage will now be $45.
• Three rate increases at Indian Mounds Pool. Daily admission fee for individuals will now be $3.75, while a season pass will be $45 for individuals and $95 for a family. This is an increase of 25 cents in admission fees and a $5 increase in season passes. All other fees remain the same price.
• Increases for greens fees and golf car rental were approved for Westview Golf Course. The increases range from $1 to $2, depending on time of day and age. Slight increases were also approved for outings fees and specials/promotions.
• An increase in the slip rental fee at Art Keller Marina to 32 cents per square foot. At the new rate, an owner of a 20-foot-by-10-foot boat slip will pay $704 annually for a covered slip. Covered slip fees will be $3.52 per square foot. Private boathouse fees will rise 19 cents to $2.09 per square foot, while trailer storage will remain at $80.
• Split payments for slip rental with due dates of April 1 and July 1 will be available at a 5 percent upcharge. 
• Slight increases for a wide variety of costs associated with shelters and special events. For specific requests, contact the Park District at 217-223-7703.
• A low bid submitted by Derhake Bros. Plumbing and Excavating in the amount of $194,489 to complete a small shelter replacement at Wavering Park.
• Quincy Children’s Museum story-book signs that will be positioned in Gardner and Sunset parks, helping highlight the Quincy Park District’s nature trails. The museum received a $10,000 grant for the purchase of 20 low-profile single pedestal frames that can be changed throughout the year with different stories. The museum will be responsible for changing signs and will promote the storybooks with through its website, social media, mailing lists and special events. The museum will pay for the signs and installation.
• The planting of 12 new trees on the Westview Golf Course.
• The annual third Wednesday in January date change for the park board meeting. The board meets the second Wednesday of the month February through December. The January 2023 meeting will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 18.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Information about the tax levy was incorrect in a previous version of this story.