MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
On June 21, 2023, the Board of Directors adopted the General Manager's proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, which begins on July 1, 2023. The proposed budget is a balanced budget representing a responsible spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year while looking toward the future. The budget development process considers District priorities, national, state, and local economic outlooks, existing and future financial commitments, multi-year capital planning, and available investment opportunities and resources. The budget is the most critical policy document for the District, providing a roadmap for allocating resources and making informed financial decisions.
The biennial budget establishes the financial and human resources necessary to achieve community objectives, set service levels, and implement capital projects. A balanced and responsible budget ensures that the District uses its resources efficiently and effectively to meet the community's needs. It also helps maintain the District's long-term financial stability by identifying and addressing potential financial risks and obligations, such as pension costs, infrastructure improvements, and other postemployment benefits. To view the staff report and Biennial Budget for fiscal years 2023-24 & 2024-25 please click here.
June 2023
HOMETOWN HEROES
The Rotary Club of Elk Grove Hometown Heroes Award was presented to Leslie Horning in honor of her late husband, Steve Horning, for his steadfast dedication to initiating a water rescue program in 1997 for the then Elk Grove Fire Department to exercise an allhazards type of water rescue response for our community. Due to his vision, the now Cosumnes Fire Department has continued to train for and respond to water rescue incidents; and on December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2023, due to severe winter storms, our personnel utilized their training and skills to rescue over 50 people who would have otherwise sustained serious injuries and/or death resulting from flash flooding caused by torrential rain within this dangerous timeframe. Job well
HERo GIRLS FIRE CAMP
May 6th and 7th the HERo Girls Fire Camp was held at the Cosumnes Fire training grounds and was an incredible success! The participants had an amazing time with nearly 50 high schoolers who found out what it takes to be a firefighter. These young ladies spent two days learning how to put out fires, move hoses, climb a 24', 35', and aerial ladders, search and rescue, forcible entry, and auto extrication, among other action-packed drills. We are excited to see what the future holds for these incredible young women. They truly embody what it means to be #futurefirefighters and #femalefirefighters.
STREET NAMING CEREMONY
Two crossing streets in a developing Elk Grove neighborhood are now named after late Cosumnes firefighters. The names of Captain Kevin Whiteley and Firefighter Albaro “Al” Meraz, adorn street signs in the Madeira Ranch area of south Elk Grove. This street sign dedication is a part of the City of Elk Grove’s program that names streets after veterans and first responders.
Captain Whiteley was an Elk Grove native who graduated from Elk Grove High School and started his firefighting career as a volunteer in the then-Elk Grove Fire Department. Captain Whiteley was known as a very large man who had a larger-thanlife laugh. He always went above and beyond and was very proud of our community. Captain Whiteley retired after 30 years in the fire service. He died after a three-year battle with cancer in 2021.
Firefighter Meraz served in the Cosumnes Fire Department for 17 years until he died while off-duty in a freeway accident in December 2018. In 2001, he joined then-Elk Grove Fire and he loved to mentor his fellow firefighters. He was also involved in the “Bomberos” program that trained Mexican firefighters and offered them firefighting equipment to use in Mexico. Firefighter Meraz was remembered as an athlete who ran in the Boston Marathon and went by the nickname “The Mexicutioner” when he boxed in the Battle of Badges charity fundraiser.
Kevin Whiteley Drive and Al Meraz Drive are located off Kyler Road, east of Big Horn Boulevard.
RAD GAMES
On May 20 the District held its first RAD games, in which over 100 individuals with disabilities were able to participate in activities such as sports, creativity and swimming to give them the opportunity to become a RAD Champion.
WATER SAFETY MONTH
May was National Water Safety Month. Tiny Tot Preschool classes welcomed lead lifeguard personnel to provide presentations on topics including: The Importance of Water Safety In and Around the Water, Sun Protection, and How to Use a Lifejacket.
CITYWORKS IMPLEMENTATION
Personnel implemented the new work order system, Cityworks, on May 1. Staff are now able to enter service requests and work orders, track staff time and asset maintenance. This new system is used by Park and Golf Operations, as well as Building Maintenance.
FOX SLIDE REMOVAL
CORE RECREATION GROUNDBREAKING
On May 4th the CORE Recreation Center Groundbreaking took place. Members of the public and District were on site to celebrate the start of construction.
The slide at the Jerry Fox Swim Center which had reached its useful life was removed. Staff developed a removal plan that spanned one week and included having a crane on-site for the safe removal of the three main supports. All metal from the slide structure was recycled through a local vendor.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Story Time in the Park
Now – September 29, 10am-11am
Thursdays at Elk Grove Park
Fridays at Kunsting Family Park
Movies in the Park
July 15th, Kammerer Park
Comedy Under the Stars
July 7 & July 28 at Laguna Town Hall
HMONG AMERICAN DAY
The Cosumnes CSD IDEA Committee and Director Fuentes celebrated Hmong American Day on May 14 with Elk Grove community members and many others at Elk Grove Park. This May 14th marked the 48th anniversary of the fall of Long Chen, which brought many Hmong refugees to the United States. Today over 40,000 Hmong American are residents of Sacramento County, and this event celebrated the culture, food, music, art, accomplishments, and spirt of the Hmong people.
MAYOR’S VOLUNTEER AWARD
The Elk Grove Garden Club was awarded the Elk Grove Mayor’s Volunteer Award for their partnership efforts with Cosumnes CSD. The club meets monthly at the Albiani Recreation Center, and assists with the upkeep of the Lichtenberger Rose Garden, the Mendoza Park Butterfly Garden, and the native plant garden in front of Fox Pool in Elk Grove Park. Photo courtesy of Dave Soto Productions.
DISTRICT POLICY UPDATES
From time to time, it is necessary to update the District’s policies and procedures and create new ones to ensure the appropriate control and management of District affairs. Regularly reviewing policies and procedures help keep the District up to date with regulations, technology, and government best practices. Of the 157 District policy documents 15 of them were updated since November of 2022, when the Board last approved and reviewed new and updated policies. Updates were made to the implementation (application/procedure) or scope and not to the stated policy itself on any of them. To view the complete list of updates, visit the District Policies Staff Report located here.
TRANSFERS:
Kelly Croisdale – Administrative Assistant (Finance)
Anthony Viveiros – Recreation Supervisor (Aquatics)
SEPARATIONS:
Kelly Gonzalez – Administrative Services Director
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Highlighted today is J Long from the Cosumnes CSD Recreation Sports Department
J is a Sacramento State University Graduate, Stingers UP! He is a big fan of the San Francisco Giants and Sacramento Kings. In his free time, J finds enjoyment in doing yard-work and home projects when he is not playing a round of golf. He also enjoys traveling, day trips to the ocean, walking his dog named Jaxon and visiting sports stadiums whenever possible. J and his fiancé Danielle will be welcoming a new baby boy in July 2023! Congratulations!
Calvin Peebles Network Administrator
Tammy Rominger Irrigation Manager
Quinn Nguyen Help Desk Technician
RAD YAD
Let's give a huge shoutout to Yadira Berrera, or as we affectionately call her, RAD Yad! Yad joined Cosumnes CSD in January as our Therapeutic Recreation Intern while completing her degree at Sac State. She has played a vital role in our adaptive and inclusive recreation program, Recreation Adventures (RAD).
sponsorships for the RAD Karaoke event. Yad and the RAD team also accepted a community services award from the Kiwanis Club of Sacramento this spring.
During her internship, Yad achieved numerous milestones. She learned ActiveNet, taught classes, prepared RAD dances, assisted in creating an assessment process, accommodated recreational activities, built RAD programming, and contributed to FitFest. She even participated in social media videos (check it out @CosumnesParkRec) and raised an impressive $600 in
To cap off the semester, Yad played an instrumental role in organizing our inaugural RAD Games on May 20. She selflessly chose to work at the event instead of attending her commencement ceremony at the Golden1 Center. She even brought her family members to the event as volunteers.
We appreciate Yad's commitment and hard work! We are excited to be able to keep her as a Recreation Site Director as she prepares to take her Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam in July.
ARNOLD ADREANI PARK
The brand new Arnold Adreani Park opens this summer. This 2.5-acre park located in the Sheldon Farms North neighborhood, directly east of Bruceville Road and south of Sheldon Road. The park includes shaded picnic areas, water play area, restroom, adult fitness station, large play structure with shade canopy and swings. The park has been named after one of the educational pioneers of the City of Elk Grove, Dr. Arnold J.
FREE FITNESS IN THE PARK
What’s better than a morning workout in the park? Join District Instructors on each 2nd and 4th Saturday this summer for free fitness classes at Morse Community Park, 5540 Bellaterra Drive.
CORE UPDATE
Mass grading for CORE Recreation Center started in June. Earthmovers and a contingent of 35 dump trucks worked for a week to prepare the 3-acre site for the next phase of construction. The 54,000 square foot facility is on track to open in early 2025.
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Are you, or someone you know, certified to teach yoga, Zumba, or another program? Cosumnes CSD is hiring instructors. We also planning Les Mills instructor training this fall. Contact LizRodriguez@cosumnescsd.gov to become certified and for further details.
10 HEALTHY HABITS
Here are 10 small changes for big health improvements. Check out these tips: https://bit.ly/10GoSmall
Can you name 10 high-carb foods you should have in your diet? Full answer here: https://bit.ly/10HighCarbFoods
