"Integrating" staff with Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and possible commercial opportunities for the garden have been outlined by garden manager Margo Reid as ways to bridge the increasing gap between the garden's income and its operating costs.
Ms Reid has been tasked with finding ways to make operational savings as the number of visitors continues to decline, from 83,000 in the garden's first year after it opened in 2008, to 28,000 in the 2011-12 year.
A short report to the Dunedin City Council's community development committee says a review has indicated about $55,000 in staffing costs could be saved through "changes in management and closer integration with Toitu Otago Settlers Museum".
Ms Reid said it was too early to say how the staffing changes would be realised, but none of the garden's three full-time staff and one 0.6FTE would lose their jobs.
Despite knowing how much could be saved, Ms Reid declined to say exactly how the staffing arrangement would work between the garden and the museum, except it would be "explored further" once the museum reopened in early December.
Her report said a reduction of $55,000 in staffing costs equated to a decrease of almost 10% in the ratepayer contribution to the garden.
The target ratio for the garden is 60% ratepayer funding and 40% self-funding.
The garden has not met that requirement yet, and in the current year (without any staffing changes) the anticipated ratio is 69% ratepayer funding and 31% self-funding.
In monetary terms, that means ratepayers will have to contribute $585,000 to the cost of running the garden this financial year.
Ms Reid's report said that as well as making staffing changes, the council's city property department was to investigate any commercial options for improving the garden's revenue streams.
She declined to elaborate as the work had not started, but said leasing out space at the garden was not an option, and seeking sponsorship was unlikely.
Any changes that could be seen to affect the status of the garden needed to be carefully considered in light of the existing and growing relationship with Shanghai, she said.
A report on the budget savings from the staff review and on possible commercial opportunities would be presented at the 2013-2014 annual plan budget hearings in January.
The garden was given to the city of Dunedin when it opened in 2008 and the council agreed to cover operating costs unable to be met by the garden.
Councillors will consider the latest report on Monday.
