Funding

A recreation system is defined as any system of public recreation and playgrounds. In 1963 the Turner Community via Turner Unified School District (TUSD), by Kansas Statute 12-1924, established by resolution the Turner Recreation Commission (TRC). TRC prepares an annual budget for the operation of the recreation system. Prior to the certification of its budget to TUSD, TRC Administration and Board plan the TRC budget according to its operations and community needs. TRC then certifies the budget to TUSD for a tax levy sufficient to operate the recreation system. TRC provides a public meeting for taxpayers relating to the proposed budget and for the purpose of considering amendments to such proposed budget. TRC provides at least 10 days’ notice of the time and place of the meeting by publication in a weekly or daily newspaper having a general circulation in the taxing district. TUSD shall not be required to levy a tax in excess of the maximum tax levy set by the school district community by current resolution of the TUSD tax base.

Therefore, monies budgeted for the recreation system is legally and statutorily separate from the budget that TUSD utilizes for their operations of the school system. Monies budgeted for TRC may only be spent on the recreation system under direction of the TRC governing board and administration. These monies cannot be used for the operations of TUSD and are a separate tax levy used to finance the recreation system of TRC. TRC also utilizes other revenue sources such as program fees, grant monies, rental fees, and investment strategies to supplement the operations budget of the recreation system.

FAQ'S

How is TRC funded?

TRC is funded through a school district wide mill levy, user fees, rentals, and gifts and grants. In FY 2010 the Turner Recreation Commission General Fund budget was funded 75% through tax support and 25% through alternate sources.

How much does TRC cost me in taxes?

Total Levy (7 Mills):

The tax which supports the Turner Recreation Commission equates to $80.50 per year or $6.71 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home. $150,000 home is $120.75 or $10.06 per month. $75,000 home is $60.38 or $5.03 per month.
The seven mills are then broken up; six are used for the General Fund and one is used for the Employee Benefit Fund.

General Fund:

In FY 2011 the mill levy rate for the Turner Recreation Commission is 6.000 mills. The tax which supports the Turner Recreation Commission equates to $69.00 per year or $5.75 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home. $150,000 home is $103.50 or $8.62 per month. $75,000 home is $51.75 or $4.31 per month.

User fees and non-tax revenues support most program costs. Tax dollars are used to cover debt service, capital improvements, community center operations, park and facility maintenance, general and administrative costs, overhead costs, commodities, special events, and one mill of the six is utilized for the operations and programs of the Turner Aquatic Center (a joint partnership with the TUSD).

Employee Benefit Fund:

The tax which supports the Turner Recreation Commission equates to $11.50 per year or $.96 cents per month for the owner of a $100,000 home. $150,000 home is $17.25 or $1.44 per month. $75,000 home is $8.63 or $.72 cents per month.
The Employee Benefit Fund is used for employee benefits, employee insurances, and social security.

Can TRC levy taxes?

No. Any tax increase request must be first of all, be approved by the TUSD board and is then subject to approval by residents of TUSD. Taxes for the Turner Recreation Commission are collected by the county clerk, distributed to TUSD and then passed on to the Turner Recreation Commission. The taxes distributed to TUSD for the Turner Recreation Commission are dedicated solely for TRC budget purposes and do not limit the amount of funding which can be provided for educational purposes. State statutes allow for the creation of recreation commissions that do not in any way reduce the dollars collected or available for educational purposes.