Parks Advisory Committee urges $85 million increase

Texas State Parks Advisory Committee Chairman and former state senator John Montford today told the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission his committee recommends allocating the entire amount of state sporting goods sales tax to parks, a move which would effectively increase funding by about $85 million per year if adopted by the Texas Legislature.

“It will not be enough to simply repair or restore the park resources and historic sites that have fallen into disrepair due to budget cuts,” Fitzsimons said. “In the long run, it is equally important to build a funding structure that allows us to meet the challenges of a growing state. We now have specific recommendations to do so, thanks to Chairman Montford and the committee members who have given their time and credibility to this cause.

“It is clear to this committee that the financial problems facing our Texas park system must be addressed now,” Montford said. “Funding for state parks is an investment in economic, personal health and cultural benefits for the citizens of Texas. Increased park investment can be provided from the existing sporting goods tax that is paid by the users of the park system, which will rise with increased use of the system.”

t The Legislature should appropriate all revenues generated by the Sporting Goods Sales Tax as well as other user fees and taxes presently directed to the Parks system and to the maximum extent possible, those funds should be applied to the purposes intended.”

t The state should issue all bonds already approved by voters to provide for state park repairs and maintenance.”

tThe state should pursue a major program of acquisition and development of new parks as well as the enhancement of existing parks.”

t Texas Parks and Wildlife should continue to transfer existing units of the park system to local governments or other entities where appropriate. Site transfers should not take place except where there is a significant savings to the State of Texas and where appropriate requirements and restrictions are implemented for future uses of the site.”

t Texas Parks & Wildlife Department should work with the Legislature, nonprofit organizations and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation to maximize and facilitate donations of private lands and dollars and identify and remove statutory and administrative hurdles to such donations.

t Texas Parks and Wildlife should continue and increase its emphasis on collaborative

public-private partnerships. Projects such as Government Canyon State Natural Area, and the friends groups at State Historic Sites such as Washington-on-the Brazos and Casa Navarro in San Antonio, should serve as models for the Department.

t Major Repairs $25 million — The currently identified backlog of facility repair needs made necessary by the wear occasioned by millions of visitors in state parks is approximately $431 million. In order to keep pace with necessary renovations a dependable annual funding source for major repairs is necessary.

t Human Resources $7.1 million — The committee recommends an additional 159 classified staff and 70.5 hourly FTEs be added to the state park system.

t Operating Funds $5.7 million — As additional staff is added (and inflation taken into account), there will be an increased need for maintenance materials such as paint and repair parts for park infrastructure, as well as fuel and lubricants for work vehicles.

t Minor Repairs $4 million — There are nearly 4000 structures as well as trails, water systems and infrastructure in state parks and currently only $1.5 million available annually to accomplish routine cyclic maintenance and repairs such as painting, fixture replacement and roofing repairs.

t Department Support $2 million — During the same period that positions have been eliminated in state parks, positions have been eliminated in other divisions that support state parks, including infrastructure, communications and administrative resources. This hampers the ability of these divisions to market parks, support repair projects, and perform administrative duties. With additional field staff added, minor repair projects undertaken and other operational increases, other support divisions within the agency will incur increased workloads.”