PROS projects $1.9 million underrun for 2025, outlines 2026 adjustments and capital shifts

Tom Tully, manager of business services for Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS), told the policy committee the department projects being about $1.9 million under budget for 2025 across funds, with approximately $1.5 million of that in the recreation fund. "The bulk of that is associated with Beck rec center. We did not open the pool all year," Tully said, attributing much of the savings to facility closures and staffing changes. Tully described 2026 adjustments including citywide compensation changes, a previously discussed 10% fee increase for recreation services, and an amendment tied to the Beck recreation-center closure that reduces the general-fund subsidy to the rec fund by about $1.5 million. He said PROS plans to move portions of several full-time equivalents from the general fund into the parks development fund to better align work with funding sources and to freeze one newly created rec manager position for 2026. Tully also said PROS will continue a nighttime security pilot initially used at a reservoir and is extending overnight security into parks. On capital, Tully reported about $3 million in adjusted funding next year and referenced a five-year plan to address deferred maintenance in golf operations and other assets. He said $800,000 was reallocated as a match for the Highland Canal Trail partnership, $750,000 in parking-lot funds was shifted to Meadowood Playground, and medians budgeted for 2026 were deferred, freeing about $2.25 million. Committee members asked clarifying questions on travel and training and staffing; Tully confirmed reductions in travel and training do not cut required certifications. No formal committee action was taken on the budget presentation at the meeting.