Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Action
Indoor Recreation Grant Funding
January 2005

I. Executive Summary: Indoor Recreation Grants are made from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to Texas local governments for the acquisition and/or development of indoor recreation facilities. As of July 31, 2004 TPWD received five indoor applications requesting $2,526,000 in matching fund assistance. The Legislature specifically reduced the appropriation for indoor grants to $1,275,000 for the 2004-2005 biennium. Staff is recommending support of one project for this fiscal year in the amount of $637,500.00.

II. Discussion: The Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program (TRPA) is a dedication of a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods, effective September 1, 1993. This program provides matching fund assistance to local governments for outdoor and indoor recreation.

TRPA funds available for indoor projects include $1,275,000 specifically appropriated by the legislature for the 2004-2005 biennium (a reduction from the previously dedicated and appropriated amount of $3,325,000 per year). In order to make indoor grant funding available for both years of the biennium, $637,500 (half of the appropriated amount) will be made available each year.

This review includes applications from five sponsors requesting $2,526,000 in matching funds for all applications submitted by July 31, 2004. Projects have been analyzed by staff and are ranked in descending order of priority. Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsors and funds recommended by staff.

Should an applicant selected for funding refuse or otherwise fail to meet the terms and conditions for program participation, grant funds for the selected project will be withdrawn and awarded to the applicant(s) with the highest sequential priority score(s) that can meet program requirements and that did not receive funding in the respective review cycle.

III. Recommendation: Staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"Funding for projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $637,500.00 is approved."