Summary of Dec. 17 board of directors meeting
December 19, 2024
At the Dec. 17 BPRD board of directors meeting, the elected officials extended a waiver program to support affordable housing development, and accepted the annual audited financial report. A video recording is available.
Affordable housing support
The board adopted Resolution No. 2024-12 extending the availability of System Development Charge (SDC) waivers for deed-restricted affordable housing and certain short-term, temporary housing. The new program begins January 1, 2025 and sunsets December 31, 2028 for a total of 300 waivers over four years, divided and managed in two-year periods of 150 units each.
The total cost of the park SDC waiver program from July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2024 is $4,362,666. The cost for the 300 additional waivers proposed in Resolution No. 2024 – 12 is roughly estimated to be between $2.3 and $3.4 million depending upon the number, size and type of affordable housing or shelter development that occurs, and the SDC rates in place at the time of the project development.
SDCs are the main source of funding for the development of parks, trails and recreation facilities to serve growth. They support the district’s goals of maintaining the same level of parks, trails and recreation facilities as the district’s population increases.
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Staff recommended and the board received BPRD’s auditor’s presentation of the audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the district for the fiscal year 2024. Oregon state law requires an annual financial report audit of all municipal corporations. A clean unmodified audit opinion on the district’s financial statements is viewed favorably by investment analysts and strengthens the district’s ability to issue bonds or other debt at a lower interest cost.
Community sponsored projects program
Community sponsored projects involve partnering with individuals and groups in the community to develop projects and add amenities to parks, trails and facilities. The 12 projects since 2015 have been initiated, planned and implemented with community help and funding. Examples include:
- Farewell Bend Park: Kayak slalom course suspended form the bicycle/pedestrian bridge between Farewell Bend and Riverbend parks.
- Pine Nursey Park: Construction of five sand volleyball courts that were completed in summer 2020.
- Hillside Park: Restoration of undeveloped portion of the park with native vegetation. This work was completed in 2020.
- Big Sky Park: Create a cyclocross track in the northeast corner of the park. This work was completed as part of the Big Sky Bike Park Project.
- Skyline Park: Ski grooming to facilitate cross-country skiing when conditions support.
Retirement of long-time employee
To begin the meeting, the directors also honored the retirement of Ann Story, swim program supervisor, who ends her 30-year tenure at BPRD on Jan. 1. More than 50,000 children have learned to swim under her guidance.
The next board meeting is Jan. 7.
