City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HASHIM T. TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration and Receipt of the RPCA 2026 Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery findings and Recommendations and Approval of Updated Resource Allocation & Cost Recovery Policy.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Receipt of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities 2026 Resource Allocation findings and adoption of the 2026 updates to the RPCA Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive the Resource Allocation findings
2. Adopt the proposed Resource Allocation & Cost Recovery Policy (Attachment 1);
BACKGROUND: The Resource Allocation & Cost Recovery Policy serves as the City's primary framework for determining the appropriate balance between taxpayer support and user-generated revenue for recreation, parks, cultural, and community services.
The policy, first adopted in 2013 with a subsequent update in 2019, is grounded in a fundamental principle: public resources should be allocated in proportion to the community benefit generated by a program, service, or activity. Services that produce broad community benefits warrant higher levels of public subsidy, while activities that primarily benefit individual participants should recover a greater share of their costs through user fees or other revenue sources.
Over time, participation trends, community expectations, facility demands, and operational costs have evolved. To ensure the policy remains relevant and reflective of current community values, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities undertook a comprehensive review and community engagement process involving residents, stakeholders, the Park and Recreation Commission, and City staff. Com...
Click here for full text