Shawnee County commissioners approved contract C363-2025 with Landworks Studio LLC on Oct. 13 to update the county Parks and Recreation department master plan, passing the motion 2-1.

The plan will guide the parks department’s direction for the next five to 10 years if implemented. Tim Laurent, director of Parks and Recreation, told commissioners the contract is funded by multiple sources, including user fees, dedicated sales tax funds and a private donation. "This will completely guide our direction for the next 5 to 10 years if if approved," Laurent said.

Laurent said the Building Maintenance Fund—primarily supported by user fees—will cover a portion of the contract and that the department has generated nearly $300,000 this year in user fees that flowed into that fund. He said "the building maintenance fund is just under $65,000 of this plan," a sum he described as roughly 25% of the contract cost. Additional support will come from the Gage Park Sales Tax Fund, the Gage Park Improvement Authority and a donation from the Parks for All Foundation.

Commissioners asked whether any property tax dollars would be used. Laurent replied he did not want to state anything incorrect and that while the fund is "primarily fee funded" he believed some small portion could include property-tax-derived revenues. Commissioner Bill Rippon moved approval; Commissioner Kevin Cook seconded. Commissioners Rippon and Cook voted yes; Commissioner Aaron Maze voted no. The motion passed 2 to 1.

Laurent said staff will proceed with the consultant’s work if the contract is executed and that the plan will frame parks priorities and capital projects in the coming decade. The board did not set additional conditions during the vote.

Next steps include contract execution and the consultant’s kickoff work; staff will report back to the board as milestones are reached.