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Parks department cites tree‑trimming backlog, summer‑program access and carousel/event costs
Summary
Parks officials told councilors seasonal staffing helped expand summer programs but said tree‑trimming capacity remains constrained by labor shortages; the department said live holiday‑horse rentals are rising in cost and that funding for rec center programming reduced busing needs but poses access questions for families without transportation.
Parks department staff told the finance committee on Sept. 30 that routine public‑tree trimming and stump removal are behind schedule because the city lacks sufficient skilled arborists and chipper capacity.
The department said it currently has two skilled tree trimmers and that hiring experienced arborists has been difficult because private sector pay and utility company contracts typically offer higher wages for the same skills. Parks managers said the city’s existing equipment (one chipper and one bucket truck that can pull a…
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