Finance committee adopts revised park and open-space special revenue fund policy

The Appleton City Finance Committee voted unanimously to adopt a revised park and open-space special revenue fund policy (25-1326) that clarifies the fund may be used for improvements to existing park lands as well as to new park land.

Staff said the policy language was revised because some parcels, such as Longart Park, had existed as park land for years without improvements; the amendment makes clear the fund can support improvements to those existing parks in addition to purchases or development of new park land.

Alder Crowell raised a question about restrictions in the policy that bar using the fund for routine or major maintenance of existing facilities; staff said donations or grant-directed funds intended for maintenance would likely be managed through a different fund or mechanism. Committee members voted 5-0 to adopt the revised policy.

The revision clarifies eligible uses but does not change the restriction against using the park fund for routine maintenance projects, according to staff comments recorded during the meeting.