A 2012 budget of just over $1.148 million was approved Tuesday by the Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday afternoon during a special called meeting.
The budget includes $828,240 previously approved by the Pine Bluff City Council and another $320,645 in revenue from parks operations during the year.
Parks Department Director Angela Parker said the council gives them an amount and the department breaks it down where it’s needed.
This year’s city funding was an increase of $12,537 over the amount the department received last year.
The budget included an $1,800 across the board salary increase for full time employees of the department.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
One change from last year is that the Saracen RV Park and Activities such as youth baseball, softball and basketball were eliminated as separate line items in the budget, and added to the maintenance department.
That resulted in maintenance revenue, which was budgeted at $449,133 in 2011 increased to $614,933 this year, while maintenance expenses went from $474,023 in 2011 to $591,164 this year.
Parker said the changes were made because “Kevin (Smith) and his crew take care of all the maintenance on the fields and the RV Park anyway.”
Another change is that the department will take over their own workman’s compensation, getting out of the city’s plan.
“That will save us several thousand dollars,” Parker said.
“The commission will meet Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting.