ASHLAND, Ore. – The City of Ashland’s Parks and Recreation Department is grappling with a substantial budget shortfall, forcing potential cuts to some of the city’s most cherished amenities, including the Daniel Meyer Pool, the ice rink, and various educational and senior programs.
The $1.4 million in budget reductions come as part of the city’s biennial budgeting process, designed to address a general fund shortfall estimated at between $8 and $9 million. Parks and Recreation Director Rocky Houston explained that the department’s efforts to mitigate these cuts included evaluating new assets and identifying areas for potential reductions. However, these measures were not enough to avoid the painful budget constraints.
“We had to make reductions of up to $1.4 million,” Houston said. “As we went through those new assets that we were taking on, we looked at removing those first, but it still wasn’t enough.”
One of the most contentious changes resulting from the budget cuts is a significant increase in sports field rental fees. In the past, leagues were charged a flat seasonal fee ranging from $150 to $250. The new structure, however, shifts to an hourly rate, a move that has already generated considerable backlash.
“It is a significant change,” Houston acknowledged. “But as we’re still trying to identify resources to keep our programs and services open, it was a mechanism to help.”
The fee hike has prompted strong opposition from local organizations, including Ashland Little League, which has criticized the decision as being made with limited notice and without direct input from those most affected. In response, the league is planning a community walk-through event at Hunter Park on Saturday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. The event will invite city officials, Parks and Recreation commissioners, and local media to tour the fields and better understand the volunteer work that supports youth sports in the area.
“The decision to raise fees was made without consulting the volunteers who are the backbone of our youth sports programs,” the league said in a statement. “We’re hopeful that this walk-through will provide a clearer picture of the value these volunteers bring to the community.”
In an effort to protect essential services, Houston emphasized that the Parks and Recreation Department is exploring alternative ways to deliver programs at a lower cost. While some services may be reduced or altered, the department is committed to preserving as much as possible within the constraints of the budget.
“We’re trying to identify ways that we can deliver that service at a lower cost,” Houston explained. “Maybe not what we used to do, but we’re continuing to work on that.”
In addition to the fee hike, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission has proposed a new $6.50 monthly fee on utility bills to help offset further cuts. This proposal will be considered by the City Council during a joint meeting with the Parks Commission on May 7. If approved, the new fee would take effect at the start of the next budget cycle on July 1.
Houston also noted that the department is actively seeking partnerships and alternative funding sources to help maintain beloved programs like the pool and ice rink. However, he acknowledged that this may result in reduced hours or limited services in some cases.
“We’re doing everything we can to explore partnerships and other funding opportunities,” Houston said. “But ultimately, we may have to make difficult choices to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs.”
As the city grapples with these financial challenges, residents and community groups remain hopeful that solutions can be found to preserve the recreational programs that have long been a vital part of life in Ashland.