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Parks department outlines $3.3 million 2026 budget proposal; wages and cemetery equipment drive increases
Summary
Parks staff presented the department’s proposed 2026 operating budget of about $3.3 million, noting a 4.3% increase driven largely by wages and benefits; cemetery equipment and motor-pool costs were cited as specific increases.
Parks staff presented the department’s proposed 2026 operating budget to the committee on Aug. 13, saying the total request is about $3.3 million — roughly a 4.3% increase over the current year — and that the largest single cost is wages and benefits.
The staff presentation broke the budget into major categories: wages and benefits (about $1,990,000), utilities (about $231,000), supplies and maintenance (about $757,000), motor pool (about $301,000) and training/education. Staff said the department assumes a 5% revenue increase next year as part of the plan to hold services while increasing revenues where feasible.
Justin, a parks department staff member, told the committee that much of the operational budget supports seasonal and part‑time staffing (lifeguards, instructors and facility attendants) as well as full‑time staff. He said the motor-pool increase is tied in part to cemetery needs: the department plans to add a Kubota and two mowers to the fleet to support cemetery operations.
Committee members asked about program revenues, senior-center budget changes and whether capital projects (playground replacement, court improvements) were reflected in the operating budget. Staff clarified that playground replacements and larger equipment purchases are capital items handled through the capital improvement plan (CIP); the operating budget covers maintenance, staff and utilities.
Staff outlined several revenue strategies, including modest across-the-board fee increases and continued fundraising and partnership support for specific programs (for example, zoo donations are raised by the Zoological Society and are not included in the department’s operating budget). Justin said the parks department plans a park tour for committee members to review projects and capital needs in the coming month.
No formal committee action was taken on the operating budget at the meeting; staff requested the committee review the presented figures and participate in the upcoming park tour to provide further input.
