Agenda - 05-01-2008-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ ~'9 ~ P.O. Box 8181, 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2660 April 23, 2008 Orange County Board of Commissioners 200 S. Cameron Street 1-Iillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Board of Commissioners, We are writing on behalf of the Orange County Recreation and Parks Advisory Council (RPAC) concerning the possible discontinuance of the summer day camp program. As a citizen's advisory board we are unanimous in our opposition to this proposed action. The camp has been an integral Orange County service to its youth since the 1970s. This letter follows a letter from RPAC earlier this year and also appearance by several RPAC members speaking aut on this topic at a regular meeting of BOCC. We are bewildered as to how a long standing program that has been serving the youth of Orange County since 1975 was taken out of operation without any public comment or recommendation from the Orange County Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. The Council hopes to be involved in the future decisions affecting the Parks and Recreation Department and the public it serves. In addition, RPAC recammends that those community members directly affected by County Staff decisions be given the opportunity to be heard and involved in the decision making process. We lmow you believe in and take pride in a transparent process and we also support transparency in local government. RPAC recognizes that the funding from the Department of Social Services ($10,000) will assist with the current short fall of affordable summer camp options, but it does not fully address the issue. The $10,000 of DSS funding will not go far when one considers that 276 of the 588 registrations in 2007 were assisted with some form of scholarship. RPAC would like to take this opportunity to thank the BOCC for fmding at least some small way to assist the neediest youth in Orange County. The Council wishes to recommend that former county Parks and Recreation campers be given first priority for the DSS funding because we believe these individuals will benefit the most from use of these funds. In 2007, the "Sun Fun" camp generated $37,053 in revenue and had expenses that totaled $40,692. The county's subsidy of this program was effectively $3,642. In addition, the DSS contributed $3,890 in campership funding, which was pass through money. RPAC feels that it is imperative, and strongly recommends that the Parks and Recreation summer camp program be reinstated beginning next summer and receive full funding in FY09 and in subsequent years. If it is necessary to reduce the county's subsidy of this program, RPAC recommends slightly raising the registration fee. RPAC wants to thank the BOCC for considering this important issue. The summer camp program has been a positive influence for thousands of youngsters for many years here in Orange County. We believe it should continue. Sincerely; ~ n ~ ~ s Robb English ' Past Chair of RPAC Steve Peck ~~'-'-~ New Chair o C cc: Laura Blackmon, Lori Taft