Ellensburg City Council approved a professional services agreement with consultant MIG to update the city’s Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Sustainable Funding Plan for the 2026–2032 period and authorized the city manager to sign the agreement, adding $30,000 to a previously budgeted $100,000 to complete the scope of work.

Brad Case, parks and recreation director, said the city issued an RFQ, received nine responses and interviewed five firms; MIG was selected by staff and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission members based on experience with similar plans in the Pacific Northwest. Case said the plan update will include an inventory and needs assessment, substantial public outreach, an analysis of potential funding strategies and a park impact fee methodology consistent with recent state changes.

Case told council the update is needed to remain eligible for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant rounds and to adopt a compliant park impact fee; the city must adopt the fee methodology within six months of plan adoption. He said the project timeline is aggressive—a roughly nine‑month schedule to meet a March 2026 target for plan adoption.

Council discussed outreach and reporting; Case said the consultant will include a community survey and multiple public participation opportunities and that Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meetings will include regular updates. Fund 370 (Recreation Facilities Fund) has sufficient balance to cover the additional $30,000, Case told council.

Council voted to approve the professional services agreement and authorized the city manager to execute it.