Council Members Investigate Need for More Funds For Park Maintenance in Austin
City Park Acreage Growth Versus Limited Maintenance Staffing
The city of Austin has witnessed a consistent growth in its parkland acreage, in line with the increasing population. However, the staffing for maintenance of these parks has not kept pace, signaling the need for increased funding. This was the subject of a recent discussion in City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee, centered around a report submitted by the Parks and Recreation Department and the budget and finance staff.
A comparison was made between the number of park maintenance workers active in 2014 and the current number. Findings indicated that the level of service frequency was considerably higher in FY 2014 than in FY 2023. Interestingly, despite the increase in parkland acreage, the staffing for park maintenance saw little to no increase over the years. A report showed that there were 105 full-time employees in 2014 in comparison to 110 in FY 2023. However, considering the service standards set in 2023, the department would have required 96 such employees back in 2014.
The Increasing Costs of Maintenance
Over the years, not only has the number of park maintenance workers remained stagnant, but their pay rates have also increased due to inflation and cost of living adjustments. In 2014, the hourly wage of maintenance workers was $12, which increased to $20 by 2023. Amidst these rising costs, maintenance tasks such as mowing, picking up litter, and servicing restrooms have suffered. Eric Nelson from the Financial Services Department, revealed that in 2014, 69% of park restrooms were serviced daily. In stark contrast, in 2023, this number plummeted to a mere 3%.
Need for Increased Funding Stressed
The city board members agreed on the need for increased funding to maintain the existing and projected parks’ conditions. The department projected the need for around “190” full-time employees, from the current 110 workers, to maintain the grounds at 2014’s standard. This indicates a pressing requirement for an additional 80 employees. The committee chair, Alison Alter, noted the importance of providing this data, which clearly illustrates the current deficit in delivering the necessary services for the parks.
Public Support for Additional Funding
Several Austin residents and members of nonprofit organizations such as the Trail Conservancy and the Austin Parks Foundation have urged the committee to advocate for a higher city budget for parks’ maintenance. They emphasized the critical role of the city in increasing the overall parks’ maintenance budget to ensure that all residents have access to well-maintained park spaces.
The issue of mounting maintenance costs is not unique to the Parks and Recreation Department. Several other departments across the city face similar, if not steeper, challenges. With public support and proper budgeting, necessary adjustments can be made to provide regular maintenance and meet the growing need for public spaces in Austin.
