Fact Checking the Voters’ Pamphlet Arguments—The Last “Argument”

voters' pamphlet

Analysis and Opinion by Dean Silver

This is the third in a series deconstructing the “arguments opposed” in the voters’ pamphlet opposing the referenda, since there were no arguments “supporting” the measures.  It is an attempt to inform the voters of the truth about the measures by identifying the irrelevancies and inaccuracies in those “arguments”. 

You can find the introduction to this series here.
You can find the second installment of this series here.

I have decided to jump ahead and deal with the next most disingenuous “argument” next. Below I have copied the last “argument in opposition” directly from the pamphlet, and inserted my comments in bold italics.  This “argument”, which like all of them is aimed at both measures, is listed as an argument in opposition to 15-211.  It is found on p. 15-18 of the voters’ pamphlet.

Preserve Our Parks Vote No on 15-211

Since 2015 City funding for Ashland’s parks and open spaces
has become less stable.

There is no question that this is correct, but not for the reasons given below.  The actual reason is that circumstances change, and our elected officials and staff are tasked with weighing all of the factors, and doing what is most beneficial for the city as a whole.

The Citizens Budget Committee,
working in concert with City staff and the City Council, has
implemented dramatic cuts to Park’s budget.

This is absolutely incorrect.  The Citizen’s Budget Committee and subsequently the city Council approved the budget that was presented to them by staff—which includes APR staff.  APR had a full hand in crafting every budget, and passed off on them with the blessing of the city manager (previously administrator) and directors of finance.

Furthermore, cuts in the APR general fund budget only occurred in 2016 and 2020, and they were minor.  The budgets INCREASED in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022.

The ongoing positive ending fund balances put the lie to the claim that APR is underfunded.

As of August 31, 2022 (the last monthly financial report that is available to the public), the APR general fund had an ending fund balance of $2,677,154 and the APR Capital Improvements Fund had an ending fund balance of $1,955,697.

All the while our
Parks management team has adjusted spending, reduced
capital improvement projects, laid off personnel, cut high level
positions and instituted mandatory furloughs for all employees
to save labor costs in an effort to preserve our parks!

The fact is that during Michael Black’s tenure as director of APR, capital improvement projects have continued unabated (E. Main park, attempt to plan and finance a new pool, etc), and APR continues to pour money into the hopeless golf course.  The only personnel laid off were temps, two office assistants, two custodians whose duties were outsourced, and one supervisor.  Meanwhile, the number of supervisory personnel have increased.  The mandatory furloughs were only for one year during the height of Covid, and they only amounted to one day per month.  The staff whose jobs became mostly inactive during the pandemic were allowed to continue working, while many workers in the private sector were furloughed or lost their jobs.

You can read the facts in the following articles among many others at the Ashland Chronicle:

The January Parks and Rec Budget Report – A Deeper Dive
APR Mismanagement Part 1 – A Clear Failure of Leadership
APR Mismanagement Part 2 – Fiscal Irresponsibility
Who’s in Charge at APR?
The Truth Comes Out

Ashland is at a crossroads. We citizens of Ashland must protect
our investments. Ashland’s parks and open spaces are a
legacy that we could soon lose without proper funding.

The first two statements are correct, while the third is absurd hyperbole. The only thing that threatens Ashland’s parks is neglect and mismanagement.  Just look at the condition of the parks. Remember who is responsible for them.  Remember how much money they are allocated every year.

It is my belief that the current Food and Beverage Tax (F&B)
would be best used as a stable funding source for Ashland’s
parks and open spaces. We asked the City Council to put
our citizens’ initiative (PET-01) on the November ballot. Our
initiative asked voters to consider dedicating 98% of the
current F&B Tax to fund parks and open space.

The city council was absolutely correct in rejecting this blatant money grab.  The reason APRC attempted to have it put on the ballot was because it was obvious that they could not possibly gather enough signatures to place it on the ballot.  Thus, APRC attempted to leverage the support of their four most vocal boosters on the council in an attempt to achieve their goals. But their attempt was so misguided that it failed even with the sympathies of that majority on the council.

Our request was
denied and we temporarily suspended our effort.
This City Council ballot measure (15-211) asks the citizens of
Ashland to direct the available F&B tax revenue into the general fund
so that the city manager can do with it as he sees fit.

This comment displays a complete ignorance of the way our city finances work.  The city manager CANNOT “do with it as he sees fit”.  All money is appropriated by the City Council ONLY.

You can read about the history of the Food and Beverage Tax here:

The Evolution of the Food and Beverage Tax
The Recent History of the Food and Beverage Tax
The Future of the Food and Beverage Tax
City Council Refers Food and Beverage Tax Modifications to Voters

We believe that this request is short-sighted and wrong.
Ashland needs a viable funding solution to maintain our parks
and open spaces.

Ashland HAS such a mechanism.  It is the budget process and it’s various funding mechanisms.  APR has full input into that process.  The sad fact is that APR seems to NEVER have enough funding to suit its desires, as opposed to its needs.

This ballot referendum does not solve that need.

The referendum is not intended to solve that “need”.  It is offered as a response to the ambiguity of the current ordinance.

Parks and open spaces are the heart and soul of
Ashland.

Actually, the PEOPLE are the heart and soul of Ashland.

Parks and Recreation are one important aspect of life in Ashland.  It cannot exist in a vacuum.  It cannot expect GUARANTEED funding regardless of other considerations.   It has to operate within the constraints of our budget realities.

It is because Ashland offers so much access to the
great outdoors that many of us made sacrifices to live and
raise our children here.

That is one of many reasons that many of us moved to Ashland.  Many residents are STILL making sacrifices to live here, and the more we increase taxes and fees, the more sacrifices many will be forced to make in order to remain here.

Some people do not have those concerns, but in the spirit of what is best for the community as a whole, they should consider the needs of those who are at a financial breaking point.  APRC needs to adjust its “needs” and operations to the needs of the city as a whole.

And of course, our access to “the great outdoors” is not dependent upon APR.  It is all around us.  APR needs to concentrate on its core mission: maintaining our parks, and providing important recreational opportunities within the city, all within our budget to support them.

Now is the time to step-up and help
Preserve Our Parks!

Clearly, neither of these measures threaten our parks in any way.  The hyperbole and hysteria of the current and former parks commissioners is absurd.  The only threat to the parks is the mismanagement by both the director and the commission that is supposed to supervise him, and yet does not do so effectively.

I urge you to vote NO on 15-211 Amendment to Ashland’s F &B
Tax and NO on the Ashland City Charter change 15-210.

I urge you to vote YES for both measures, and be prepared for more misinformation and fear tactics as APRC prepares to attempt to convince the taxpayers that they should face stiff tax increases so that Parks and Rec can form an independent district.

The first order of business should and must be to determine if our Parks and Recreation Department is spending the funding they currently receive efficiently, effectively, and wisely.

Mike Gardiner
Preserve Our Parks
(This information furnished by Michael A. Gardiner, Preserve Our Parks.)

Michael Gardiner resigned as chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission earlier this year.  Officers of Preserve Our Parks also include two current APR commissioners, Rick Landt and Jim Bachman.