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PARKS & RECREATION SURVEY - 1982 This survey is for the purpose of comparison of our system with that of other cities of our size. I have included Roseville and Maplewood only for estimates of costs for a full- service program in a larger neighboring community. I didn't fully investigate their structure, but the per capita expenses are computed. I have included eight cities in this survey; Arden Hills, Little Canada, Mendota Heights end Prior Lake are of comparable size; Falcon Heights, Maplewood, Roseville and Vadnais Heights are neighboring Ramsey County communities. Most of the cities project future growth, with the exception of Falcon Heights and Roseville. The parks and recreation system in Falcon Heights reflects the fact that their population will decrease. SUMMARY: Every city I contacted, whether large or small, is involved with a private recreation association. In Maplewood, Vadnais Heights and Little Canada, the associations appear to be more involved with the city program. In the other cities, the city provides and maintains all the facilities, but the associations seem to be totally private with no direction from the city and no accountability to the city. When questioned, the respondents all indicated their appreciation of the associations, because otherwise the salary portion of the city budget would have to be increased. In all cities except Little Canada, parks and recreation expenditures are budgeted together. This reflects the fact that in all the cities except Little Canada, general maintenance is provided by the city by full -time employees. The salaries range from $8.00 to $10.00 per hour (union and non- union) plus benefits, with the exception of Vadnais Heights. Their full -time maintenance people are paid $6.35 per hour, but are in the process of unionizing and the city is hoping to negotiate a wage of $7.50 - $7.75 per hour. Some of the cities do hire lesser -paid employees to do small- machine grass cutting, and all cities hire part -time people whether or not there is a full -time director. The per capita expenditures for parks and recreation ranged from a low of $6.94 in Little Canada to a high of $32.00 in Prior Lake. The average per capita budgeted for 1982 was $16.62. I didn't include Falcon Heights in this computation because all their parks and recreation maintenance is budgeted in Public Works. If there are any further questions, please call me. Bev Scalze, 483 -1055