The City Council adopts the following in support of the park services fee as provided in this chapter.
(A) The purpose of the park services fee is to provide a stable funding source for city park facilities and services, including acquisition of parkland, park equipment, facilities and infrastructure, park operations and maintenance.
(B) Well-maintained parks safeguard, facilitate, and encourage the health, safety, and welfare of the residents, visitors and business enterprises in the City of Banks. Stable and reliable park services and facilities provide a multitude of economic and social benefits to the public, including, but not limited to:
(1) Promotion of business and industry within the city by providing clean and well-maintained public spaces and facilities;
(2) Promotion of community health and physical fitness by providing recreational opportunities within the city;
(3) Promotion of mental health and spiritual well-being by providing public open space for passive or active recreation.
(C) All developed property within the city receive a direct or indirect benefit from city park services and well-maintained park facilities. Well-maintained parks are a community asset to all residential and commercial properties in the city.
(D) Residents living outside the city limits that are water utility customers and are located within the Banks Urban Growth Boundary are considered to be part of the Banks community. These people are part of and participate in the city and its events and derive direct and indirect benefits from the city and its parks, including the use and enjoyment of its park facilities and programs. Accordingly, Banks water utility customers living outside the city limits shall be subject to the park services fee as provided for in this chapter.
(E) Commercial properties within the city also derive a direct or indirect commercial benefit from their proximity to the city's parks and use of city parks by customers, employees and owners. As such, commercial properties in the city have an economic interest in the city's parks being attractive, well maintained, competently operated, and adequately funded.
(F) A park services fee is necessary to provide a stable funding mechanism to help pay for the benefits of park facilities and services and to provide an acceptable level of service to the city's residents, visitors and commercial enterprises.
(Ord. 2019-11-01, passed 2-11-2020)