Committee members and parks staff traded proposals and concerns about several parks-related line items the finance committee flagged as possible cuts to meet this year’s budget goals.

The most contested single item was a $30,000 savings proposal that would keep only two pools open on any given day instead of three; parks staff said the cut would allow one pool to be used for lessons while remaining closed for general swim, saving personnel costs. Parks and Recreation recommended keeping all three pools open and asked the finance committee to identify offsetting savings elsewhere.

Jamie, parks staff, explained the operations trade-offs and told the committee the parks budget is “really to a bare minimal budget” and that further cuts would directly reduce services or require staff reductions. Alder Tierney and Alder Watson expressed concern about removing dumpsters at parks — an item that saves $3,900 in the draft — saying it risks increased litter and burdens staff. Watson noted parks staff said the eight dumpsters targeted for removal are strategically sited near other receptacles and suggested a one-year trial and inventory to check for increased litter before making the cut permanent.

Committee members reviewed a menu of other parks savings offered during department head budget meetings: not running the 400 Block fountain (about $24,000), not running the RiverLife fountain (about $7,000), not running the Brockmire splash pad (about $9,000), eliminating ice rinks on the 400 Block (about $2,000), closing one pool entirely (about $60,000), eliminating dumpsters ($3,900) and reducing small projects (amount discussed but not consistently recorded). The chair and parks staff stressed that donations and private funding often pay to build amenities but the city assumes maintenance costs once it accepts them.

Mayor (unnamed) said staff reduced his office budget and other promotional spending earlier and emphasized the need for a five-year capital and debt plan to avoid long-term fiscal pressures. He and finance staff discussed a $45,000 park study consultant line that some alders suggested could be reprioritized; the mayor and Mary Anne said that consultant funding was in the economic development fund and that using one-time reserves for studies had been the original rationale.

Committee members suggested alternatives, including transferring limited one-time economic-development funds or redirecting the 400 Block fountain money to cover pool operations for a season, and raising modest fees (an example cited: a $2 monthly urban forestry fee generating an estimated $417,000) as longer-term revenue options. No final allocation decision was made; members asked staff for the full list of director-proposed cuts and to return with amendment language for a follow-up meeting.

Ending: The committee set a follow-up meeting to consider amendments and asked staff to send the full list of director-proposed cuts in advance so members could prepare motions and votes.