Compendium of Budget Information for the 2012 General Session

Natural Resources, Agriculture, & Environmental Quality
Appropriations Subcommittee
Subcommittee Table of Contents

Agency: Natural Resources

Line Item: Parks & Recreation

Function

The mission of the Division of Parks and Recreation is to 'To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.' Currently Utah has 43 state parks that are a combination of heritage, scenic and recreation parks (click on the link http://naturalresources.utah.gov/divisions/state-parks.html to go to the website). Created under UCA 79-4-201, the Division is responsible for management and development of all state parks, the administration and enforcement of the State Boating Act and the state off-highway vehicle program. The Board of Parks and Recreation provides policy direction.

PARKS AND RECREATION OPERATIONS LINE ITEM

The Division is responsible for management and development of all state parks, statewide boating safety and statewide off-highway vehicle safety.

Statutory Authority

The following laws govern operation of the Division:

  • UCA 79-4-702 allows "This is the Place" heritage park to be governed by a foundation and sets terms for a management agreement with the foundation.
  • UCA 79-4-305 requires the board to formulate and execute a long-range comprehensive plan and program for acquisition, planning, protection, O&M, development, and wise use of valuable areas.
  • UCA 79-4-501 requires the Division to protect people and property with law enforcement. Park Rangers are given full law enforcement powers.
  • UCA 79-4-403 establishes user fees for golf. These are included with the greens fees. Fees are 1.5% of green fees, and are to be used at the park where they are collected, on operating supplies, development, or equipment, and are nonlapsing.
  • UCA 79-4-401 states that park operating and administrative expenses for administering the boating account may be charged to the boating account.
  • UCA 79-4-402 creates the GFR - State Park Fees Account. Revenues come from all fees collected except golf user fees and the first $75,000 of bison sales proceeds.
  • UCA 79-5-103 requires the Division to plan and develop a recreational trail system, work with federal land management agencies, local governments, private owners, and other state agencies to build a trails network.
  • UCA 79-5-201 creates the Recreational Trails Advisory Council.
  • UCA 41-22-10 gives the board power to appoint the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Council and seek their recommendations. The Division has the duty to seek the establishment of an OHV trail system and provide law enforcement.
  • UCA 41-22-19 requires registration fees from Off-Highway Vehicles be deposited in the GFR - Off-Highway Vehicle Account. However, $1.50 from each registration must go to the Land Grant Management Fund for use by SITLA on its lands.
  • UCA 73-18-3 gives the board and Division power and duty to make rules and enforce boating activities in the state.
  • UCA 73-18-22 creates the GFR - Boating Account. Revenues come from registration fees, gasoline taxes, and related monies.
  • UCA 79-4-802 creates the Riverway Enhancement Program.

The Division of Parks and Recreation has two line items in its budget: Operations and Capital. The funding from the Operations line item is used for the management and development of all state parks, statewide boating safety and statewide off-highway vehicle safety. The funds from the Capital line item are used for the capital improvements and development of the facilities and infrastructure of the state parks.

Intent Language

    Under the terms of 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for Parks and Recreation in Item 180, Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 2010, shall not lapse at the end of FY 2011. Expenditures of these funds are limited to: improvement and development of habitat on Antelope Island State Park $283,500; Computer Equipment/Software $82,000; Employee Training/Incentives $30,000; Special Projects/Studies $32,000; Brochures $25,000; Forms & Printing $32,000; Interns $6,000.

    The Legislature intends that the proceeds of the hunts for bison, deer and Bighorn sheep on Antelope Island, up to the amount of $250,000, be used on Antelope Island State Park. Both conservation and regular hunts will be coordinated through a cooperative agreement between the Division of State Parks and the Division of Wildlife Resources.

    The Legislature intends that the Division of Parks and Recreation develop a plan to transfer the management of selected state parks to county or local governments and present this plan to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by October 2011.

    The Legislature intends that the Division of Parks and Recreation identify select parks that would be good candidates for privatization of their management and present a plan with options for the transition to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by October 2011.

    The Legislature intends that the Division of Parks and Recreation take steps to reduce its reliance on General Fund appropriations to $4 million by FY 2015 and report its progress to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by October 2011.

    As part of the effort to stay within the new budget constraints, the Legislature intends that the Division of Parks and Recreation institute park-level accounting at all parks and report the profit or loss of each park to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by October 2011.

    The Legislature intends that the Division of Parks and Recreation create a financial performance incentive program, take measured steps toward replacing full-time staff with seasonal employees, reduce the law enforcement costs, and report the progress to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by October 2011.

    The Legislature intends that the Department of Natural Resources prepare proposals for improving efficiencies in its law enforcement responsibilities. The department should seek input from County Sheriffs, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Natural Resources, and the State Legislature, and report the Department's proposals to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by November 2011.

    The Legislature intends that the Division of Parks and Recreation examine the overlap of support staff at different levels of the organization, identify whether some positions should be eliminated, and report the progress to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Interim Committee by October 2011.

    The Legislature intends that the $4,000,000 one-time General Fund appropriation be used by the Division of Parks and Recreation to keep state parks open during FY 2012.

Performance

The graph below represents the revenue-collection trends for three of the major categories in the Division of Parks and Recreation. These categories include:

  • Day Use: entrance fees, multiple park pass, senior park pass, commercial dealer pass, special use permit, senior day-use, and cross country ski fee;
  • Camping: camping, lodging, an extra vehile;
  • Golf: 9-hole rounds played.

Visitor Unit

The revenues for Day Use and Camping have been increasing in the past three years (13% increase between FY 2009 and FY 2011), while the revenue from golf has been steadily declining (11% decrease for the same period).

Funding Detail

Boating Account revenues come from boat registration fees as well as from gasoline tax. Like the Motor Boat Access funds, potential projects must be directly related to boating recreation and be available to the general public.

The state Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Account is generated from off-highway vehicle registration fees and gasoline tax. OHV account proceeds are generally limited in scope and are usually solicited to leverage federal matching funds (such as Land and Water Conservation Fund) for projects that have an OHV recreational component. Examples include trailhead development, campground facilities for OHV users, restrooms near trails, and motocross tracks. These funds are generally limited in amount and are available on an 'ad-hoc' basis.

The revenues for the State Park Fees Restricted Account primarily comes from park entrance fees, camping, and golf.

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $11,801,000 $11,014,400 $10,388,700 $9,810,600 $3,906,900
General Fund, One-time $222,000 $615,600 ($68,600) ($1,350,000) $2,800,000
Federal Funds $3,204,400 $1,237,700 $1,448,200 $1,109,800 $1,212,400
Dedicated Credits Revenue $725,200 $654,200 $683,500 $626,100 $635,500
GFR - Boating $3,912,400 $4,024,900 $3,990,700 $4,750,800 $4,180,300
GFR - Off-highway Vehicle $3,547,500 $3,707,000 $3,574,400 $4,584,300 $4,131,600
GFR - Off-highway Access & Education $0 $0 $0 $17,400 $17,500
GFR - Zion National Park Support Programs $0 $0 $0 $4,000 $4,000
GFR - State Park Fees $10,972,700 $11,423,100 $11,377,300 $11,555,100 $11,355,500
Transfers $10,000 $46,600 $24,700 $29,200 $1,300
Beginning Nonlapsing $445,700 $420,400 $482,700 $422,600 $0
Closing Nonlapsing ($420,400) ($482,700) ($422,600) ($479,700) $0
Lapsing Balance ($3,239,600) ($628,400) ($1,375,400) ($369,300) $0
Total
$31,180,900
$32,032,800
$30,103,600
$30,710,900
$28,245,000
 
Programs:
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Executive Management $1,282,600 $1,289,000 $1,106,600 $1,740,600 $981,600
Park Operation Management $21,882,600 $22,841,900 $21,626,600 $21,841,500 $19,244,100
Planning and Design $1,405,800 $1,769,600 $1,232,200 $1,039,900 $1,443,800
Support Services $2,090,700 $2,047,300 $1,994,300 $1,989,700 $2,387,800
Recreation Services $3,645,800 $2,861,200 $3,298,800 $3,186,000 $3,298,900
Park Management Contracts $873,400 $1,223,800 $845,100 $913,200 $888,800
Total
$31,180,900
$32,032,800
$30,103,600
$30,710,900
$28,245,000
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Personnel Services $18,808,700 $19,491,100 $18,104,400 $17,608,600 $15,726,400
In-state Travel $180,900 $156,500 $136,700 $145,000 $219,900
Out-of-state Travel $34,400 $26,300 $22,500 $20,500 $29,800
Current Expense $7,758,900 $8,296,800 $7,499,100 $8,438,400 $6,956,300
DP Current Expense $360,900 $569,200 $633,200 $827,200 $406,300
Capital Outlay $716,900 $591,300 $1,003,600 $1,164,800 $1,532,000
Other Charges/Pass Thru $3,320,200 $2,901,600 $2,704,100 $2,506,400 $3,374,300
Total
$31,180,900
$32,032,800
$30,103,600
$30,710,900
$28,245,000
 
Other Indicators
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Budgeted FTE 351.6 349.4 369.0 355.0 356.0
Actual FTE 0.0 0.0 334.0 328.2 0.0
Vehicles 0 0 185 176 188






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Executive Management

Function

The Executive Management program includes the Director and Parks Board. UCA 79-4-202 provides that 'the Director shall have the responsibility for: acquisition, planning, protection, development, operation, use, and maintenance of park areas and facilities in such manner as may be established by the policies and rules and regulations of the board.' The board includes nine members appointed from each judicial district and one from the public at-large, no more than five of which may be from the same political party. UCA 79-4-301 specifies the function of the Board. This program also contains the two Deputy Directors and Administrative Secretary.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $804,600 $728,000 $666,200 $825,800 ($200)
General Fund, One-time $0 $0 ($26,500) $0 $482,500
Federal Funds $0 $0 $63,300 $36,800 $64,900
GFR - Boating $172,000 $144,600 $142,800 $189,000 $163,900
GFR - Off-highway Vehicle $114,100 $96,600 $89,100 $189,000 $138,400
GFR - State Park Fees $289,500 $240,000 $231,700 $500,000 $132,100
Lapsing Balance ($97,600) $79,800 ($60,000) $0 $0
Total
$1,282,600
$1,289,000
$1,106,600
$1,740,600
$981,600
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Personnel Services $930,000 $706,500 $629,600 $644,800 $621,100
In-state Travel $10,400 $8,100 $8,300 $11,700 $6,000
Out-of-state Travel $18,000 $10,400 $7,400 $7,800 $6,800
Current Expense $228,800 $389,400 $252,000 $700,600 $81,800
DP Current Expense $13,200 $73,100 $102,100 $29,800 $34,900
Capital Outlay $67,200 $101,500 $92,200 $330,700 $220,400
Other Charges/Pass Thru $15,000 $0 $15,000 $15,200 $10,600
Total
$1,282,600
$1,289,000
$1,106,600
$1,740,600
$981,600
 
Other Indicators
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Budgeted FTE 8.0 6.4 6.0 7.0 7.0
Actual FTE 0.0 0.0 6.0 6.2 0.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Park Operation Management

Function

The Park Operation Management program provides for the daily operations of the 43 state parks. Hosting the public, interpretation, law enforcement, park maintenance, and administrative functions within the parks are done within this program. This is the largest and most comprehensive program in the Division.

Park rangers enforce water safety at state park and non-park sites, such as Lake Powell, and Flaming Gorge. They also enforce OHV regulations and help police patrol the state-wide trail system. During the winter they perform trail grooming on 23,000 miles of trail in a season and assist with other needs.

State parks are divided into three categories: Heritage, Recreation, or Scenic. Each park is unique and requires unique knowledge and experience from the park manager.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $7,257,500 $6,222,900 $5,855,900 $6,316,600 $1,260,900
General Fund, One-time $0 $21,400 ($42,100) ($1,350,000) $1,008,900
Federal Funds $1,772,700 $318,600 $317,400 $63,800 $388,000
Dedicated Credits Revenue $635,100 $563,500 $599,400 $503,500 $524,300
GFR - Boating $2,877,200 $2,928,800 $2,574,500 $3,545,900 $3,198,200
GFR - Off-highway Vehicle $1,713,400 $2,317,700 $1,989,000 $2,782,400 $2,231,100
GFR - Off-highway Access & Education $0 $0 $0 $17,400 $0
GFR - Zion National Park Support Programs $0 $0 $0 $4,000 $0
GFR - State Park Fees $10,336,200 $10,865,900 $10,863,100 $10,355,100 $10,631,400
Transfers $0 $46,600 $24,700 $29,200 $1,300
Beginning Nonlapsing $445,700 $420,400 $482,700 $422,600 $0
Closing Nonlapsing ($420,400) ($482,700) ($422,600) ($479,700) $0
Lapsing Balance ($2,734,800) ($381,200) ($615,400) ($369,300) $0
Total
$21,882,600
$22,841,900
$21,626,600
$21,841,500
$19,244,100
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Personnel Services $14,512,700 $15,217,100 $14,434,300 $14,115,500 $12,463,000
In-state Travel $105,200 $101,600 $94,200 $96,900 $134,500
Out-of-state Travel $3,300 $0 $1,000 $1,200 $600
Current Expense $5,422,600 $5,476,400 $5,034,000 $5,419,100 $4,465,600
DP Current Expense $98,000 $318,000 $321,100 $496,300 $236,900
Capital Outlay $254,500 $257,300 $268,500 $285,600 $449,000
Other Charges/Pass Thru $1,486,300 $1,471,500 $1,473,500 $1,426,900 $1,494,500
Total
$21,882,600
$22,841,900
$21,626,600
$21,841,500
$19,244,100
 
Other Indicators
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Budgeted FTE 286.2 286.3 299.0 292.0 294.0
Actual FTE 0.0 0.0 280.0 276.8 0.0
Vehicles 0 0 178 169 181






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Planning and Design

Function

UCA 79-4-305 requires the division to formulate a comprehensive plan and program for the acquisition, protection, operation, maintenance, and development of areas of scenic beauty, recreational utility, historic, archaeological or scientific interest. The Planning and Design program also coordinates construction of facilities and implementation of development priorities within the Division. The personnel in this program work with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management to ensure the most effective use of State development funds.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $1,140,500 $1,310,200 $1,181,200 $439,900 ($100)
General Fund, One-time $143,000 $244,200 $0 $0 $1,308,600
Federal Funds $56,000 $97,600 $70,000 $0 $73,200
GFR - Boating $80,000 $82,700 $34,700 $100,000 $20,000
GFR - Off-highway Vehicle $40,000 $37,700 $16,300 $100,000 $27,100
GFR - State Park Fees $0 $0 $0 $400,000 $15,000
Transfers $10,000 $0 $0 $0 $0
Lapsing Balance ($63,700) ($2,800) ($70,000) $0 $0
Total
$1,405,800
$1,769,600
$1,232,200
$1,039,900
$1,443,800
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Personnel Services $778,700 $785,400 $432,800 $391,700 $489,300
In-state Travel $19,500 $13,400 $6,100 $2,500 $9,200
Out-of-state Travel $1,100 $1,700 $1,100 $0 $3,400
Current Expense $315,200 $921,300 $710,900 $560,700 $784,100
DP Current Expense $10,900 $15,500 $20,800 $29,800 $9,600
Capital Outlay ($800) $24,800 $58,400 $55,200 $146,100
Other Charges/Pass Thru $281,200 $7,500 $2,100 $0 $2,100
Total
$1,405,800
$1,769,600
$1,232,200
$1,039,900
$1,443,800
 
Other Indicators
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Budgeted FTE 9.4 9.7 11.0 7.0 6.0
Actual FTE 0.0 0.0 5.0 4.7 0.0
Vehicles 0 0 2 2 2






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Support Services

Function

The Support Services program is responsible for the marketing, business development, public affairs, volunteer coordination, information technology, fiscal management, risk management, contract administration, reservation services, grant administration, and protective services and training (UCA 79-4-501).

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $1,580,100 $1,612,900 $1,445,600 $1,389,600 $1,418,500
Federal Funds $30,000 $30,000 $0 $0 ($100)
Dedicated Credits Revenue $0 $0 $30,400 $100 $13,800
GFR - Boating $234,900 $308,300 $175,500 $200,000 $214,300
GFR - Off-highway Vehicle $181,200 $120,000 $118,500 $200,000 $217,200
GFR - Off-highway Access & Education $0 $0 $0 $0 $17,500
GFR - Zion National Park Support Programs $0 $0 $0 $0 $4,000
GFR - State Park Fees $172,400 $77,600 $224,300 $200,000 $502,600
Lapsing Balance ($107,900) ($101,500) $0 $0 $0
Total
$2,090,700
$2,047,300
$1,994,300
$1,989,700
$2,387,800
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Personnel Services $1,244,600 $1,355,500 $1,188,700 $1,169,300 $799,800
In-state Travel $13,300 $9,900 $7,100 $11,100 $42,400
Out-of-state Travel $0 $0 $0 $500 $0
Current Expense $627,200 $596,800 $648,700 $601,800 $773,700
DP Current Expense $205,600 $85,100 $149,600 $205,900 $101,900
Other Charges/Pass Thru $0 $0 $200 $1,100 $670,000
Total
$2,090,700
$2,047,300
$1,994,300
$1,989,700
$2,387,800
 
Other Indicators
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Budgeted FTE 23.5 23.1 27.0 24.0 23.0
Actual FTE 0.0 0.0 21.0 19.5 0.0
Vehicles 0 0 1 1 1






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Recreation Services

Function

The Recreation Services program encompasses the statewide boating coordination, OHV coordination, trails coordination, heritage coordination, and maintenance services.

Funding Detail

The Federal Funds come from the U.S. Coast Guard for boating safety equipment and programs.

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $296,700 $339,800 $439,800 $38,700 $427,800
Federal Funds $1,345,700 $791,500 $997,500 $1,009,200 $686,400
Dedicated Credits Revenue $17,300 $17,500 $8,600 $9,300 $8,600
GFR - Boating $548,300 $560,500 $1,063,200 $715,900 $583,900
GFR - Off-highway Vehicle $1,498,800 $1,135,000 $1,361,500 $1,312,900 $1,517,800
GFR - State Park Fees $174,600 $239,600 $58,200 $100,000 $74,400
Lapsing Balance ($235,600) ($222,700) ($630,000) $0 $0
Total
$3,645,800
$2,861,200
$3,298,800
$3,186,000
$3,298,900
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Personnel Services $1,342,700 $1,426,600 $1,419,000 $1,287,300 $1,353,200
In-state Travel $32,500 $23,500 $21,000 $22,800 $27,800
Out-of-state Travel $12,000 $14,200 $13,000 $10,300 $19,000
Current Expense $1,121,700 $868,100 $824,500 $1,136,800 $851,100
DP Current Expense $33,200 $77,500 $39,600 $65,400 $23,000
Capital Outlay $396,000 $207,700 $584,500 $493,300 $716,500
Other Charges/Pass Thru $707,700 $243,600 $397,200 $170,100 $308,300
Total
$3,645,800
$2,861,200
$3,298,800
$3,186,000
$3,298,900
 
Other Indicators
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Budgeted FTE 24.5 23.8 26.0 25.0 26.0
Actual FTE 0.0 0.0 22.0 21.0 0.0
Vehicles 0 0 4 4 4






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Park Management Contracts

Function

In June of 1998, the division signed a management agreement with the This Is The Place Foundation, under which the Foundation agreed to undertake all phases of operating the This Is The Place park. The division agreed to request $800,000 per year (though the Legislature may appropriate less) as a management fee, and upon appropriation, provide appropriated funds to the Foundation to assist in the maintenance and operation of the park.

This program also manages a contract with the Mountain Trails Foundation, which oversees the maintenance and operation of the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
General Fund $721,600 $800,600 $800,000 $800,000 $800,000
General Fund, One-time $79,000 $350,000 $0 $0 $0
Dedicated Credits Revenue $72,800 $73,200 $45,100 $113,200 $88,800
Total
$873,400
$1,223,800
$845,100
$913,200
$888,800
 
Categories of Expenditure
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Approp
Out-of-state Travel $0 $0 $0 $700 $0
Current Expense $43,400 $44,800 $29,000 $19,400 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $830,000 $1,179,000 $816,100 $893,100 $888,800
Total
$873,400
$1,223,800
$845,100
$913,200
$888,800
Subcommittee Table of Contents