TO: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator
Beth Powell, Parks, Recreation & Conservation Director
FROM: Wendy Swindell, Parks, Recreation & Conservation Assistant Director
DATE: March 11, 2025
SUBJECT: Parks & Conservation Divisions Standard Operating Procedures
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BACKGROUND
The Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department provided a General Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Manual for Board consideration and approval at the April 23, 2024, meeting. The General Department SOP Manual is based on the principles of the Administrative Policy Manual and is intended to serve as a guide and reference for all Department staff. The General SOP provides the necessary information regarding the Department’s functions and purpose within the organization, as well as staff roles and responsibilities consistent with the County policies. Each Division within the Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department is developing a “Division” SOP, which outlines staff policies and procedures for their specific Division within the Department.
Staff are providing Draft SOP Manuals for the Parks Division, and for the Conservation Lands Division, for Board consideration. These Divisions have many of the same operational procedures, and as such share resources as needed. The Standard Operating Procedures for these two Divisions will serve to provide staff with information to guide their daily work responsibilities, and also provide background information on facility locations, amenities, and specific procedures that must be carried out to maintain safety and enjoyment for both the staff and the public.
ANALYSIS
The objective of the SOP manuals is to provide staff with expected service standards, parameters for carrying out daily duties in a safe and responsible manner, operational requirements for facilities and amenities, and expectations for communication with other staff and the public. The Division SOPs are planned to be adaptable documents that will be updated as needed to address new facilities, changes in industry standards and guidelines, and other information that becomes available keeping with the goal of staff to operate safe, friendly, clean and well-maintained parks and conservation areas.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There are no operational or expense funding requirements associated with this item.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
1. Department Staff Report: Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department Fee Schedule and Standard Operating Procedures Update - April 23, 2024 - Item Number 24-0366
2. Informational Report: Informational Update for Noticed Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department Fee Schedule and Standard Operating Procedures - February 20, 2024 - Item Number 24-0166
3. Informational Report: Informational Update for Noticed Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department Fee Schedule and Standard Operating Procedures - January 23, 2024 - Item Number 24-0097
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Quality of Life
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff respectfully requests that the Board approve the Indian River County Parks Division Standard Operating Procedure Manual, and the Indian River County Conservation Lands Division Standard Operating Procedures Manual, subject to any modifications identified by the Teamsters Union via impact bargaining, if any, and authorize the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Director to approve administrative, non-substantive updates to the Standard Operating Procedures, when needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Indian River County Parks Division Standard Operating Procedure Manual. A printed copy is available for viewing in the Board of County Commissioners Office.
2. Draft Indian River County Conservation Lands Division Standard Operating Procedure Manual. A printed copy is available for viewing in the Board of County Commissioners Office.