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KRPA Mission Statement "To advance park and recreation opportunities that enhance the quality of life through education, communication and advocacy."

Career Center /Join KRPA
The Kansas Recreation and Park Association launched an Online Career Center on November 15, 2006. Employers can go online to post job listings. Professionals can go online to post their resume. All of these services are available to KRPA Members only. If you would like to join KRPA to receive access to the KRPA Online Career Center, click on this link to the KRPA Membership Application.

Questions, contact Bonnie Simon Email or by phone, 785-235-6533 ext 20

How can a recreation commission be created?
"A recreation commission can be created in two ways

1. By a petition of at least 5% of the qualified voters of a city or school district depending upon whether

(a) Requesting a city recreation commission
(b) Requesting a school district recreation commission
(c) Requesting a joint city/school recreation commission

2. By joint resolution of any city or school district or by resolution by an independent city or school

What are the terms and appointments of recreation commission board member?

" Recreation commission's are made up of five members for a term of four years.

" If it is an independent recreation commission the governing body of the city or school will appoint four board members and the fifth member is appointed by the other four appointed members.

" If a joint recreation commission, the city appoints two residents of the city and the school district shall appoint two residents of the school district. Those four members shall, in turn, appoint a fifth board member.

" Appointments are for staggered terms.

" After initial appointment, the term shall be for four years.

" There is no statutory limit for term limits. (may be addressed by individual commission's by-laws)

" Vacancies - successors shall be selected in the same manner for an unexpired term of the member vacating the position.

Recreation Commission Budget

" Recreation commission shall prepare an annual budget and certify the budget though the taxing entity no later than August 1 of each year.

" Prior to certification, the commission shall meet for the purpose of answering questions and hearings about the proposed budget.

" The commission shall give 10 days public notice of the time and place of the meeting by publication. Public hearing shall be held not less than 10 days prior to August 1.

" The budget shall be approved and certified through the taxing entity.

" The school district or the city shall levy a tax efficient to raise the amount required by the budget.

" A copy of the recreation commission budget shall be filed with the clerk of the taxing entity and with the county clerk of the home county.

" The tax levy shall not be in excess of the maximum levy set by the city or school district by current resolution.

Increasing a recreation commission budget

" If the recreation commission needs to increase the levy authorization, the commission shall request the governing body of the taxing entity to approve an increase in the levy authorization.

" If the levy increase is approved, the resolution must be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in the official newspaper. The published amount of levy will be available unless a petition signed by 5% of the qualified voters of the taxing district is filed within 30 days of the last publication. If the petition is filed, the increase shall not be available until it is submitted to a vote at the expense of the commission.

Is a recreation commission a levy of the city or school district?

" No, the recreation commission is not a levy of the city or school district.

What are the powers of the recreation commission?

" Rules and regulations of the commission shall have the power to do the following:

• Create rules and regulations for operations


• Operate the system on any property under the control of the commission and on any other property with consent of the owner


• Accept any gift or donation


• Accept and use funds from any state or federal source


• Purchase insurance


• Sue and be sued


• Execute contracts


• Enter into leases for personal or real property for a term not to exceed 10 years. Any lease is subject to approval by the governing body of the taxing entity


• Employee Superintendent of Recreation or other employees as may be necessary


• Create an Employee Benefit Fund to place employee's benefits other than salaries, wages, and other direct payments. Employee Benefits shall include only the following:

" Social Security

" Workman's Compensation

" Unemployment Compensation

" Health Insurance

" Retirement Benefits

• Acquire personal property by purchase, request, gift or other donation and require real estate by devised gift or other donation. Upon sale of any recreation commission property, the proceeds shall be used for recreation purposes.
  
• Make improvements for recreation commission purposes.
  
• Perform any other acts necessary to carry out the provisions of the recreation commission act.

Are recreation commission's subject to the Kansas Open Meeting law?

" Yes, notice of meetings is required when requested. The request is a continuing request.

May a recreation commission board member be removed from office?

" Yes, the recreation commission board member may be removed for any cause which would justify removal of an appointive officer of the city or school district. The power to remove implies the power to investigate. The right to remove rests with the appointing group.

For more information on state statutes as it relates to recreation commission's, go to General Statutes of the State of Kansas, Chapter 12, Article 19 or contact
Frank Seitz (Derby Recreation Commission) or Norm Wilkes (Director of Fiscal/Services, El Dorado School District).