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2019 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1700 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Landes
State Parks Personnel

Item 363 #9h

Item 363 #9h

First Year - FY2019 Second Year - FY2020
Natural Resources
Department of Conservation and Recreation FY2019 $3,485,373 FY2020 $3,485,373 GF
FY2019 63.00 FY2020 63.00 FTE

Language
Page 401, line 16, strike "$63,895,919" and insert "$67,381,292".
Page 401, line 16, strike "$67,793,291" and insert "$71,278,664".

Page 403, after line 5, insert:

"K. Included in the amounts for this item is $3,485,373 in the first year and $3,485,373 in the second year and 63 full-time State Park positions to supplement existing personnel at Virginia State Parks."



Explanation

(This amendment provides approximately $3.5 million in each year to support costs associated with hiring an additional 63 full-time state park positions needed to manage essential operations within existing and operational state parks to maintain a minimum level and provision of services, programs and facilities. The amendment seeks to address severe staffing short falls within the existing system of Virginia State Parks. Over the past decade, attendance at state parks has increased exponentially. In 2017, Virginia State Parks witnessed a record 10.4 million visits, an 18% increase just since 2015. Overnight reservations also have increased for both cabins (4.6% increase) and camping (7% increase). Without an investment in new positions to keep up with the increases in demand, park visitors will not have access to the facilities and amenities that they currently enjoy in the future. The request includes 20 housekeepers, 19 chief rangers for visitor experience, 3 office managers, 2 assistant park managers, 5 maintenance foremen, 6 park rangers for maintenance, 2 business managers and 6 park rangers for law enforcement.)