Washington Park & Recreation Leaders Collaborate
In advance of the 2020 Legislative day in Olympia, WA WRPA and NW Playground hosted its first Funding Options in Parks Forum at the DoubleTree Hotel. This well- attended, half-day event included presentations with the intent on having a conversation regarding funding options for park districts, cities, and counties and sharing with one another the various types of funding each agency is currently utilizing.
Paul Simmons, Director of Olympia Parks, and Tom Tiegen of Snohomish County presented on the topics of utility taxes and REET 1, local tourism and lodging, while Roxanne Miles of Pierce County shared her expertise with a motor vehicle, gas, and car rental taxes.
Other topics included Legislative Advocacy as presented by Mike Farrell of Monroe Parks, REET 2 and B & O taxes with Brian Levenhagen of Kent Parks and a terrific discussion on Park Impact Fees with John Ghilarducci, President of FSC Group.
The day was followed by a Business Networking social at the Spar-McMenamins Café hosted by Eric Arneson of NW Playground where the conversation continued with the sharing of ideas and some fun all rolled into one.
The consensus was clear that the Forum should and will be offered again next year as it was beneficial to all who came.