It’s no surprise most residents love recreation and the demand has been coursing through Summit County, particularly on the North Side.
From flag and tackle football, soccer, basketball and camps for youth to competitive coed leagues for adults and a growing list of other community amenities, the North Summit Special Recreation District strives to create opportunities that inspire connection and personal growth.
While the recreation districts in Park City, the Snyderville Basin and South Summit have their own facilities, North Summit does not. And the growth in the Coalville area has led the volunteer advisory board to consider how best to balance the costs.
For North Summit residents, this could mean a higher tax bill.
North Summit Recreation is scheduled to meet with the Summit County Council on Wednesday afternoon to increase its certified property tax rate by about 70%. The raise would add $75,078 to the special recreation district’s revenue, which would allow it to fund a full-time director position, maintenance of Beacon Hill Park once construction is completed and other operations.
“The last thing we want to do is increase taxes. The other option is to increase the fees, but that’s still not enough and then you’re at risk of families and youth not participating because the cost becomes so high. This was the better decision where you’re not going to affect the families,” said Charity Richins, the chair of the North Summit Special Service District board.
Richins characterized the increase as minimal, but she sympathized with taxpayers who are still reeling from last year’s 300% hike for the North Summit Fire District. The property tax bill for the average home valued at around $785,000 would go up by around $18.57 a year if the County Council approves the North Summit Recreation levy.
The need for additional revenue was highlighted amid the upcoming departure of Amanda Pace, the general manager of the recreation district. Pace is the only paid employee in the district and works part time. However, she will be leaving the role to accept a different, higher-paying position.
The impending vacancy helped the North Summit Recreation board realize the position should be full time and provide a livable wage with benefits. This will ensure more time is dedicated to the job. Richins said she asked the County Council for a stipend to fund the position, but that wasn’t possible.
A part-time position would also be created to help plan, promote and administer recreation programs based on the community’s needs. This individual would help Pace as she transitions out of her role. It’s possible the individual could be promoted to the full-time position. However, North Summit Recreation hopes to interview multiple candidates.
With widespread difficulties in finding volunteers, Richins was hopeful adding a paid position would help the recreation district continue to grow and plan for the future.
The revenue will also aid North Summit Recreation efforts at Beacon Hill Park. The first phase of the project updated the playground and pavilion. The district is also planning to construct new baseball and softball fields, pickleball and basketball courts as well as a concession building for food service.
The tax increase will help the recreation district maintain the new sports fields and pay for maintenance once it is open. It will be the first facility owned by North Summit Recreation, which has relied heavily on grants for funding.
Richins said it will also address the opportunity gap on the North Side.
Under the current model, recreation sports must share or compete for practice and game space with high school sports teams or the county fair. Families might also commute elsewhere to use fields or join leagues — and those who can’t afford it might be left behind.
“We want to actually have our own facilities. … We’re trying to develop our youth and athletics, and you can’t. I drive up to Park City, but not every family can do that,” she said. “The reality is we have nothing. We want to give them what they deserve.”
The board advocated for the increase because recreation helps keep youth engaged, builds their self-esteem and allows them to develop interpersonal skills. The same is true for adults.
“We’re in a situation where our programs are going to completely come to a halt if we don’t do something about it,” Richins said.
A public meeting about the proposed increase is scheduled for Oct. 11 at the Summit County Courthouse. There will be a public hearing about the proposed 2024 budget on Dec. 6.
The County Council meeting on Wednesday is set to begin with a closed session at 1:50 p.m. to discuss personnel and acquiring property with the North Summit Recreation discussion beginning at 2:55 p.m.
Then, the panel will discuss a range of topics including the new Silver Summit County Services building, appointing a member to serve on the Summit County Justice Court Nominating Commission, approving a Summit County Senior Citizen Services ordinance and more.
This article has been updated following the Wednesday County Council meeting.