2024

October 16 -- November 20 -- December 18

INDEPENDENCE RECREATION COMMISSION

Monthly Meeting & RNR/Budget Hearing September 18, 2024

Ash Youth Center

1501 N. 10th Street

Independence, KS 67301

Members Present: Others Present:

Christy Mavers Brent Julian

Joe Housel Lori Bromley

Greg Kelley Nick McBride

Moises Rivera Jim Butts

Galen Palmer

Lacey Lies

Christy Mavers opened the commission meeting at 11:30 a.m.

ROUTINE

Agenda

Greg Kelley moved to approve the agenda as printed. Moises Rivera seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

Minutes

Greg Kelley moved to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2024 board meeting. Moises Rivera seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

Bills

Moises Rivera moved to approve the September 2024 invoices and checks for payment as presented in the amount of $4,614.82 as well as bills and employee benefits paid since the last board meeting in the amount of $32,414.57. Greg Kelley seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

Treasurer’s Report

Galen Palmer reported the following bank balances as of August 31, 2024: First Oak Bank -Checking: $82,423.93; First Oak - Petty Cash: $500.00; Equity Bank - Savings $90,798.07. Moises Rivera moved to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Greg Kelley seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

Joe Housel arrived at the meeting and Moises Rivera left the meeting.

REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE HEARING

Revenue Neutral Rate Review

Director, Brent Julian, discussed the revenue neutral tax rate (RNTR) with the commission and answered any questions. Brent stated that the RNR senate bill 13 is still relatively new, however IRC is not requesting to raise any mills but rather asking to go above the revenue neutral rate due to an increase in property tax valuations, which is a difference of approximately $23,000 per mill this year.

Community Input

One member of the community was present and asked for an explanation on the Revenue Neutral Rate and what that will mean for her property taxes as well as the Independence Recreation Commission. Brent answered any questions from the community and informed the guest that IRC will not raise their taxes and it will remain at 4 mills in the general fund and 1 mill in employee benefits as it has been for many years. Lacey Lies with the city of Independence was present at the hearing and provided additional information regarding the Revenue Neutral Rate as calculated by the County Clerk.

Commission Input

The commission had no further questions. On the motion of Greg Kelley, seconded by Joe Housel, the Independence Recreation Commission adopted to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate.

Aye: Christy Mavers, Greg Kelley, Joe Housel

Nay: None

BUDGET HEARING

Budget Review

Director, Brent Julian, handed out copies and reviewed the 2024-2025 budget with the commission members and answered any questions. Brent stated that IRC will remain at 5 mills and a total overall budget of $1,194,550.00. Brent informed the board that he has included in the budget capital improvements in the amount of $176,000.00 for upgrades at the Ash Youth Center, the ball fields and refurbishing the restroom floors.

Community Input

There was no community input at the meeting.

Commission Input

The board reviewed the 2024-2025 budget with Brent and addressed any concerns. Christy Mavers stated she would like to see improvements to the concession stands at the ball fields and Greg Kelly stated he would like Brent to look into security cameras for the outside area of the Ash Center. On the motion of Joe Housel, seconded by Greg Kelley, the Independence Recreation Commission adopted the 2024-2025 budget as presented.

Aye: Christy Mavers, Greg Kelley, Joe Housel

Nay: None

PROGRAMS/OPERATIONS

Maintenance Report

Jim Butts answered any questions the board had on the maintenance report. Jim informed the board that the pump went out on the indoor pool and he has taken it to Zimmerman Electric in Chanute. Jim stated that unfortunately the back-up pump seized up and will not work either, so he will have Zimmerman look at it as well. The indoor pool is down for the time being but Jim hopes to have it ready to go again next week.

Programs Report

Nick McBride answered any questions the board had on the programs report. Christy Mavers asked about the participation numbers for fall sports. Nick stated that all numbers are up except for flag football, stating that some class sizes are smaller in certain groups which could account for some of the decline, but overall the soccer numbers are the largest they’ve ever been in the fall, and youth volleyball is also up this year. Nick informed the board the IRC still offers tackle football; however no other recreation departments do in this area and with the football club still being active, IRC just does not have the participation numbers needed for a successful program. Christy stated that the only complaint she has heard about playing the fall sports on the Arco Complex is the parking situation.

Director/Aquatics/Special Events Report

Brent Julian answered any questions the board had on the director/aquatics/special events report. Christy Mavers asked if Gloria Price was still running the Buddy Ball program for IRC and Brent stated that she is with the help of the ICC softball team. Brent stated the program just got started for the season and so far so good. A discussion was held on the Pickleball program at the Ash Center; Brent went over the days and times with the commission.

BUSINESS/FINANCE

Approval of the 2024-2025 Budget

Joe Housel moved to approve the fiscal year 2025 budget as presented. Greg Kelley seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

Ash Center Pool Update

Brent informed the board that he hopes to have the indoor pool back up and operating by the first of next week. Brent stated the pool is back open for fall hours with open swim on Saturday and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.

RBFAC Update

Brent informed the commission that the pool closed for the season on Sunday, August 11th. Brent stated that he and Jim went on a walk-thru with city officials to discuss important projects to improve Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center. Brent stated that the city discussed the pump which goes to the main play feature as well as the slides; they also have deck lights on their to-do list, and repairing the cracked countertops in the concession stand. Brent stated the diving boards just came in and they will be replaced before opening next summer and he also would like IRC to move forward and pay for the deck lighting asap. Brent informed the board that the financial reports on the pool should be ready to discuss by the October meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Greg Kelley moved to approve going into an executive session for approximately ten minutes. Joe Housel seconded. Motion carried 3-0. The regular meeting re-convened at 12:28 p.m.

ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION

There were no items from the commission

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 12:32 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joe Housel

Secretary