Logo courtesy of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - At the August Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) board meeting, a resident asked during public comment about the removal of a memorial fountain honoring Dick and Jean Hill for their work with the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival.

According to the resident, the fountain had remained outside the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre during construction for the Village improvement project “but suddenly the fountain was gone.” 

District Administrator Mike Aho said the fountain had been scheduled for removal and was not planned to be replaced as part of the project. Dick and Jean’s son, David Hill, had been notified, Aho said, and the district plans to recognize their contribution in a memorial garden that is under development. 

Next, the board continued a discussion about the location of a bronze dedication plaque to be displayed at the new Fair Oak Performing Arts Center, the Measure J-funded Village improvement project’s centerpiece. 

The plaque will honor current directors, past directors who served during the planning and approval of Measure J, the district administrator and the Fair Oaks community for their support of the project. 

Some directors toured the site and determined five possible locations that would ensure maximum visibility, with some interior and exteriors options.  

Aho said he preferred the outside options and director Ralph Carhart agreed. 

Director Raymond James Irwin made a motion to install the plaque on the wall outside the lobby entrance near the stage facing the park. It was approved three to two, with chair Delinda Tamagni and director Darren Mounts dissenting. 

The board members also reviewed the final budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The preliminary budget was already reviewed and there were only minor changes to consider. 

Based on actual collections and information from the Sacramento County Tax Assessor’s office, revenues for property taxes increased by $30,363. 

In staffing expenses, a 3.1% cost-of-living increase for employees will be primarily covered through savings, such as positions that were refilled at lower steps, resulting in reduced costs in group insurance and workers’ compensation. These savings resulted in an increase of $457. 

An adjustment was also needed, due to a $34,900 increase in services and supplies, including liability insurance, county costs, security, registration services and auditor services. However, there is $23,000 cost savings in parks and maintenance, paint supplies and actuarial services. The balance adjustment required an increase of $11,900.  

The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 final budget totals $4.4 million, with full-year funding for authorized permanent positions, services and supplies expenditures, and capital expenditures. 

The board members voted unanimously to approve the final budget. 

There were no changes to the 2025-2026 Measure J bond budget and it was also unanimously approved. 

Parks and Facilities manager Sean Ventura presented an update about the district’s application for California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) funding. 

“This one is directly tied to the winter storms we had in January of 2023,” said Ventura. “I’ve been working with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) since that time to try and receive funding for several damages we’ve had throughout the parks.”

Those storms caused significant destruction and 47 trees went down throughout the district, requiring extensive debris removal. Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the district approximately $51,899, which is distributed through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

An authorized representative must be appointed to represent the district and the board members voted unanimously to appoint District Administrator Aho. 

Administrative Services manager Jennifer Larkin recommended the selection of a new financial audit services vendor. The district contracted with the previous auditor for five years and, according to Larkin, the general best practice is to go out to bid every five years for these services. 

The district received four proposals and staff selected Fechter & Company CPAs as the best option. According to Larkin, it is a local company that has previously worked with the district and has a base of established knowledge. The scope of work will include two financial audits this year at a contract total of $22,000. 

The board approved the contract 4-0, with Chair Tamagni abstaining. 

During staff updates, Aho said that the Village improvement project is still on track for a grand opening in October.