Fact Sheet: Regional Parks District

SUMMARY
In 2006, the City of El Paso adopted a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Master Plan, prepared by the consulting firm Halff Associates, Inc., found that the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department had been underfunded since inception and advised that a stable source of operational funding was needed. In working towards options to address the funding deficiencies, the El Paso City Council established a Blue Ribbon Committee to evaluate and provide recommendations to the Council on forming a regional parks district for El Paso. The Blue Ribbon Committee evaluated regional park districts and organizational structures from around the Country, including municipal, independent, and non-profit models. Ultimately, the Blue Ribbon Committee recommended that the El Paso City Council pursue an independent parks entity and work to obtain a sustainable and dedicated funding source. In Texas, the establishment of an independent entity requires approval from the State Legislature and a constitutional amendment. The El Paso City Council accepted the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee and included this topic in their State Legislative Agenda for the 82nd Texas Legislative Session. In May 2011 the State Legislature passed bill SJR 28 allowing the matter of a constitutional amendment to be placed on the statewide election ballot on November 8, 2011.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City of El Paso operates more than 2,400 acres of park land with over 220 park sites including 27 recreation centers and 15 pools. The Parks and Recreation Department is primarily funded by the City of El Pasos general fund and also receives funding from park development dedication fees, grants and program revenue. In 2000, the citizens of El Paso passed a Quality of Life general obligation bond initiative that provided $75 million for park improvements. Despite past investment, there arent sufficient funds to implement the infrastructure goals of the Master Plan and the per-capita operational spending is below almost every other one of the 50 largest cities in the United States.

NOVEMBER 8, 2011 ELECTION

The process for establishing a Regional Parks District in El Paso requires several steps. The first step is through a proposed State Constitutional Amendment that is considered by Texas voters on November 8, 2011. On the statewide ballot will be a proposition to amend the State Constitution authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities. If passed, this action would allow for a district to exist in El Paso County, but does not officially create the district. The passage of this item on the November 8, 2011 ballot grants permission for a district, in other words, allows the City and County of El Paso to continue to study and work on the Regional Park District as option for an operational model. Actual formation of a district and its governance would be done as a second step, known as enabling legislation, which would be taken up in the 83rd Legislative Session in 2013. Enabling legislation would also require the approval of local voters at a later date.
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