Park Board Makes Their Feelings Known Regarding Use of Metro Parks Funds
A recent article in the St. Charles County Post (June 10, 2005) titled “Fountain Lakes still has shot at Express Scripts” stated that the St. Charles City Leadership may be utilizing Grant Revenue Sharing Funds from the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District to attract a business into the City. At this time, the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board cannot view the project positively or negatively because we have not been informed of the possible project.
The St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board has unanimously passed the attached resolution to continue administering the funds based on facts. The Board has administered these funds since the inception of the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District when it was approved by the majority of the voters on November 7, 2000. As described in RSMO 67.1754, the Cities within St. Charles County receive these funds from the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District in the form of Grant Revenue Sharing. By the St. Charles Parks and Recreation City Charter, all grants designated for Parks and Recreation shall be administered by St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board.
Therefore, the Grant Revenue Sharing Funds have been allocated for projects listed in the 2006 – 2011 Capital Improvements Plan as approved by the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board on May 18, 2005. There are no alternate sources of revenue for these projects and if the Grant Revenue Sharing Funds are removed, these projects will stop or will not be built to their full potential.
Through the unanimous vote of Resolution #3-2005 on June 15, 2005, the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board has requested a legal opinion of the proper administration of the Grant Revenue Sharing Funds from the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District. Until such time that a legal ruling is rendered stating that the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board does not have the right of approval over said funds, the Board will continue with projects as planned.
