Review Findings and Provide Final Input on RPCA Resource Allocation

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) is seeking public comments and feedback on updates to the Resource Allocation & Cost Recovery Policy based on findings from community engagement in 2025. The deadline to submit your feedback is Sunday, February 15 at 5 p.m.

RPCA will host a public hearing on Thursday, February 19 with the Parks and Recreation Commission and will include all public comments and feedback for their consideration.

Background Information

Programs and services provided by RPCA are implemented through an approved Resource Allocation & Cost Recovery Policy.

• RPCA uses a resource allocation pyramid methodology to solicit feedback from the community.
• The pyramid guides a community sorting process for all services based on the extent of community benefit.
• Services with greater community benefit receive more significant tax subsidy, and those with greater individual benefit are supported by user fees.
• From November 2024 - January 2025, RPCA held 6 community meetings or focus groups and conducted an online survey of over 500 community members to engage the public in sorting services based on this methodology.

Key Findings and Impacts

Through the community engagement process:

• Four categories of service decreased by one tier on the pyramid. The community identified these services as having greater community benefit than reflected in 2019.
• Two categories of service increased by one or more tier on the pyramid. The community identified these services as having more individual benefit than reflected in 2019.

Potential policy implications most impacted by the update include:

• Introduction of Competitive Sports Leagues and Tournaments identified at Tier 4 (considerable individual benefit) while Recreation Level Leagues and Tournaments remained at Tier 3 (balanced community and individual benefit)
• Community and City-wide Events now at Tier 1
• Tenant License/Leases for Partners/Affiliates moved from Tier 3 to Tier 4

Next Steps

• Receive stakeholder feedback on the update to the RPCA Resource Allocation & Cost Recovery Policy and Model.
• Schedule update and public hearing with the Park and Recreation Commission.
• Docket for City Council consideration.
• Finalize timeline for implementation.

Tier 1 programs and services are completely community benefit. Full tax investment with little or no fee support (Tier 1 services are targeted to recover 0% of direct costs, although some of these services may be appropriate for use of alternative funding sources like grants, donations, and volunteers).

Tier 2 Services are programs and services with a primary community benefit, and a substantial tax investment with minimal to partial fee support (as an average, Tier 2 services are targeted to recover a minimum of 20% of direct costs, and many of these services may be appropriate for use of alternative funding sources like grants, donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteers.

Tier 3 Programs and Services provide a balance of community and individual benefit. Primarily fee supported services with little or no tax investment (as an average, Tier 3 services are targeted to recover a minimum of 50% of direct costs, and some of these services may be appropriate for use of alternative funding sources like grants, donations, and volunteers.

Tier 4 and Tier 5 Programs and services that have a high individual benefit and should incur no subsidy. Our Tier 4 and 5 programs are revenue positive over direct costs.

Tier 4 targeted at 125% of direct costs. Tier 5 services are targeted to recover a minimum of 175% of direct costs.

Community input remains a critical part of this process, and RPCA encourages residents to review the findings and share their feedback before the policy is finalized. Share your final feedback by clicking on this link: RPCA Resource Allocation Final Feedback.

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If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available. Please email [email protected] or call 703.746.3960.