Also on the agenda: Inactive committees may be dissolved, some park property may be declared certified salmon habitat

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

Ashland Parks and Recreation Commissioners will discuss issues from a budget shortfall to the health of salmon populations at a study session meeting to be held via Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1. 

The capital improvement project (CIP) budget for fiscal year 2023 has been reconciled after the ending fund balance for the year was originally projected to be $5.6 million, then discovered to be $4 million. Some line items in the budget are already committed to critical projects or fund transfers that can’t be altered.

These items will be discussed in more detail at the meeting, according to meeting materials. 

Ashland parks may become certified salmon habitat. Last year APRC worked with Southern Oregon University to research new avenues for environmental stewardship in East Main Park. APRC will now be seeking to work with the Salmon Safe Certification, a nonprofit Portland-based organization. Certification will be sought for all Ashland parks, according to meeting materials. 

APRC has also reviewed its standing advisory committees to dissolve inactive committees and refocus attention to those providing policy input. The revamped list of committees will also be discussed at the meeting, according to meeting materials. 

The meeting will take place Nov. 1 and be held electronically. The public can attend the meeting via Zoom. It will also be streamed live on RVTV. 

To submit public comment for the meeting, send an email to tara.kiewel@ashland.or.us by noon Tuesday with the subject line, “speaker request,” with the name of the speaker and the agenda item. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.

Oct. 27: Added that it’s the capital improvement project (CIP) budget up for discussion, not the operating budget.