City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 7, 2017
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of the Release of $90,000 from FY 2018 Contingent Reserves to Institute a Youth Sports Scholarship Fund.
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ISSUE: Approve policy and release $90,000 of FY 2018 contingent reserve funding to Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) for youth sport scholarships for affiliate organizations.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council: (1) approve the release of $90,000 in contingent reserves included within the FY 2018 Approved Budget to RPCA and (2) approve Section 2 of the attached proposed Financial Assistance Policy in order to establish a Youth Sports Scholarship Fund for affiliate organizations to increase participation by underserved and low income youth by approximately 600 additional youth participants annually.
BACKGROUND: Agreements with Sports Group affiliates are critical to Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities' mission to support the well-being of Alexandria residents by providing access to a variety of quality recreation and sports experiences. Through the FY 2018 budget process, $90,000 was placed in contingent reserves to potentially establish a youth scholarship fund to augment scholarships offered by affiliate sport groups and expand participation for lower income youth. This funding was placed in contingent reserves pending the completion of a proposed plan/policy and agreement with affiliate sport groups1. Affiliate operated programs are fee based programs and must generate the revenue to sustain their program. Many families are challenged with limited resources and seek financial assistance to support their children's participation in sports.
This presents a challenge for the sports program providers in sustaining programs to meet the growing demand for youth sports opportunities. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) data ...
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