Friends of Hemming Park went into the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee on Wednesday seeking enough money to get through another year of operating the Downtown venue.
Instead, the group received a “prove it” counter.
The ask: $375,000 from the city, which would kick in another $125,000 when Friends raises the same amount. In all, the group would raise $300,000, bumping its total annual budget to $800,000.
The counter: $250,000 from the city and a $250,000 match when the group raises that amount. Or just the $375,000 with no match.
Mike Weinstein, Mayor Lenny Curry’s chief financial officer, made the suggestions as a way to entice the group to fundraise instead of relying solely on city dollars for the year.
“I know which one I would pick,” said Weinstein after asking Friends board member Bill Prescott which option he preferred.
Prescott didn’t answer Weinstein’s question, but said the higher city commitment of $375,000 would help show the community the organization was on steady ground and thus increase fundraising opportunities.
Sam Mousa, Curry’s chief of staff, said it could go another way. By meeting the fundraising goal and showing that commitment, it would encourage others to lend support.
The budget committee chose the even split.
Ali Korman-Shelton, Curry’s intergovernmental affairs director, said she wanted to see more of a plan coming from Friends.
Vince Cavin, the group’s executive director, told the committee about changes in the coming year. A social services provider’s position was reduced to 20 hours a week in April.
There is a goal to hire a fundraising professional for close to $70,000, with the person helping Cavin receive donations for the park.
A private security officer would be hired part-time for $24,000 annually to provide protection on weekends.
The even split has been penciled in as the funding going forward. However, it will be up to Curry and City Council if that changes.
And while Hemming Park received a preliminary funding OK, two other park-related services were placed on the short-list — a small victory in a tougher budget year.
The St. Johns River Water Taxi has requested $120,000 as the second installment of its two-year deal struck with the city last spring. Council found the funds then, but this year’s earmark hasn’t been found.
With the matching $120,000, the services would break about even. Ridership numbers continue to slowly increase but that revenue isn’t sustainable enough to meet the annual $500,000 operating costs.
The service recently expanded its offerings to include sunset cruises and ecological tours several days a week as a way to generate revenue outside the basic crossing the river.
The First Tee of North Florida operates the Brentwood Golf Course and uses the facility to provide education programs using golf for area youth. Last year it served 5,000 children.
However, the typical $100,000 appropriation for operations isn’t keeping it sustainable. Program officials are seeking an extra $100,000 for operations.
Mousa and others suggested possible partnerships with nonprofits and other programs that could possibly defray some of those costs. It was added to the short list, too, except in name only — no funding level was attached.
It’s a short list that’s becoming a little longer several weeks in.
@writerchapman
(904) 356-2466