As park and recreation professionals, we are privileged to be the stewards of taxpayer dollars. Each and every day we get to spend their money. What a responsibility! We hold in our hands the power to impact communities by how we manage these resources, how we spend, how we generate revenues, and how we work to create a financially sustainable future for our organizations and for the field of parks and recreation.
Note: Completion of Financial Sustainability Certificate Program Part 1 is recommended but not required to participate in Part 2.
This next level program is designed for professionals (and elected/appointed officials) committed to deepening their understanding of financial sustainability within local government, particularly in the realm of quality-of-life services. Bring ALL your key team players, take full advantage of this curriculum, and build a useable plan together!
General Information
The SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
8:30am - 4:00pm
Continental breakfast and lunch included
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
8:30am - 4:00pm
Continental breakfast and lunch included
Thursday, June 18, 2026
8:30am - noon
Continental breakfast included
The LESSONS
- Understanding cost of service
- Investment versus consumption spending
- The tension between stability and growth
- The "oh s*#t moments" of taxes and math
- Productively engaging community and policy makers
- Policy development, design and adoption
Through applied learning, peer dialogue, and practical methods and tools, participants will emerge better prepared to lead with clarity and advocate for financially sustainable decision making. The journey concludes with actionable takeaways and support for “what’s next” in each learner’s unique path.
The LEADERS
Jamie Sabbach, 110%
Jamie has spent her entire adult life serving the public park and recreation profession. Afforded opportunities few will ever have, she has been a practitioner, an educator, and consultant. She speaks from a place of experience, realism, and observation.
Jamie has taught hundreds of professional development and training programs across North America and Europe and has had the privilege of testifying in front of the United States Congress on the critical importance of public lands and recreation.
She currently works alongside organizations from coast to coast assisting them in creating financially sustainable service models for their communities. She also teaches financial management at Indiana University in the School of Public Health's masters program.
Kevin Shepherd, Verdunity
Kevin Shepherd began his career as a civil engineer designing infrastructure and development projects before transitioning into community planning where he worked on master plans and sustainability strategies for cities across North America. He realized that very few cities had the money needed to maintain services and infrastructure, and that shifts needed to be made to get back on a fiscally sustainable path.
Kevin founded Verdunity in 2011 to focus on helping communities understand and address these challenges because he believes everyone deserves to live in a prosperous and vibrant neighborhood at a cost they can afford. Verdunity's work has been featured by national organizations including the American Planning Association (APA), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), as well as advocacy organizations including Strong Towns and Bloomberg.
The WHERE
This session of FSCP is hosted by the City of Huntington Beach and will take place at Huntington Beach City Hall (2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648).
Attendees will be able to park in the City Hall parking lot and follow the on-site signage to navigate to the classroom.
Overnight accommodations are not included with registration and should be booked independently if needed. A group hotel block has not been established.
The HOW
This is an on-site learning experience limited to in-person attendance. Registration covers all learning materials, three breakfasts, two lunches and
1.5 CEU (i.e., 15 hours of approved continuing education units) pre-approved for the Certified Park & Recreation Professional (CPRP) and Certified Park & Recreation Executive (CPRE) certifications.
New in 2026: CEU is included with the price of registration -- no more added on fees. Be sure to sign in each day. At the conclusion of the program, those who attend all three days will receive a CEU confirmation letter via email.
Registration closes on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Prices
Registration: $599 CPRS members, $749 non-members
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