www.Southwhidbeyrecord.com
Saturday, September 1, 2012 • The South Whidbey Record
Parks look to lawmakers for funding By NATHAN WHALEN Staff reporter
With Discover Pass revenues coming in far below what was predicted, Washington State Parks officials are looking to the legislature for more taxpayer dollars. Without the extra funding, more jobs in the park system could be at risk. The department already made reductions that cost the jobs
of more than half of state park staff members on Whidbey Island. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission plans to ask the legislature for $18 million for the 2011-13 budget. That would be an increase from the $17.2 million in general fund dollars the legislature approved for the current budget cycle.
That money was approved to sustain the park system until revenues from the Discover Pass grew. Park users can pay $10 for a oneday pass or $30 for a yearly pass to access all state parks. However, the state has collected $17.7 million in Discover Pass revenue, which is far below the $64 million projected to be earned in the 2011 through 2013 fiscal-year biennium. Of that amount, 84 percent goes to state parks while the remainder helps the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. Sandy Mealing, spokes-
Nathan Whalen / The Record
Fort Casey Park Aide Chris Bailey tends to a riding lawn mower. Washington State Parks officials are asking the state for $18 million to help pay for park operations. person for Washington State Parks, said approximately $8 million will go to paying for discounts the park system is mandated by the legislature to provide. Washington State Parks waives entry fees for foster children and their caregivers, senior citizens on lim-
ited income, disabled people and disabled veterans. Jon Cummins, manager of the Fort Ebey, Fort Casey, South Whidbey, Joseph Whidbey, Possession Point and Ebey’s Landing state parks, said he doesn’t know of any business that would
Buying & Donating Helps Place Families In Homes
We Need Your Donations!!! Make A Difference MEET THE PRESS
Call Us Today
Home Furnishings • Bedroom Sets • Couches • Chairs • Tables • Dressers • Bookcases • Lamps • Pictures • Appliances
Rebecca Collins, Creative Artist
When she isn’t building advertising for our clients she’s either painting or at the dog park with Zora!
RECORD SOUTH WHIDBEY
P.O. Box 1200 • 107 S. Main St, Ste E101 • Coupeville, WA 98239 877-316-7276 • www.southwhidbeyrecord.com
FREE PICK UP • PROMOTE REUSE/RECYCLING • TAX RECEIPT
OAK HARBOR • 360-675-8733
FREELAND • 360-331-6272
stay afloat after providing so many discounts. Those discounts help keep the park accessible. The largest chunk of the state’s $150 million parks biennium budget comes from donations and fees. Only 12 percent comes from the state’s general fund. A tenuous state budget and declining revenues forced park officials to make significant cuts in recent years. In 2008, state parks had 595 employees. By 2012, that number was down to 395. Mealing said the cuts included a layer of management and programs. Cummins said the park system has been able to hire seasonal positions to help during the busy summer season, but two of those people only have authority to enforce Discover Pass violations. In addition to law enforcement functions, rangers manage campgrounds, maintain historic structures, fix plumbing, attend to visitors’ needs and clean campsites. One thing is for sure, officials have ruled out closing any state parks. Once some parks close, the park system’s funding problem would be exacerbated because it could discourage people from buying the pass. “In order for the Discover Pass to be successful, we have to keep parks open,” Mealing said.
668786
Page A24