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Parks department seeks higher program funding; Rock the Locks festival budget and future debated amid multi-year deficits
Summary
Parks and recreation asked for expanded programming funds, equipment and capital projects; the committee reviewed Rock the Locks and Landing Days finances and the city described continuing deficits for the festival and options for policy and budget decisions.
Parks and recreation staff presented a range of equipment, program and capital requests and updated the committee on large, city-sponsored festivals.
The department requested increased programming funds (from $135,000 to $160,000 across items) to support events, a planned ice-rink operation, and anticipated expanded youth and community offerings. Staff also asked for a range of equipment purchases: replacement mowers and utility vehicles, a concession trailer, additional bleachers, a mobile LED billboard for event advertising, and storage improvements for parks equipment. The department proposed rolling forward $70,000 previously allocated for murals to accelerate completion of the program next year.
On festivals, staff revisited Rock the Locks, which the city has sponsored in recent years. The packet projected roughly $2.1 million in revenue against $3.0 million in event expenses for Rock the Locks and estimated attendance of about 6,000; staff acknowledged prior years’ deficits (staff cited prior shortfalls of $1.1 million and $1.4 million in prior years) and walked through options: continue the event while pursuing sponsorships and operational efficiencies, or scale or discontinue future editions. Council directed staff to hold a town hall and other public engagements; staff recommended budgeting for the fall 2025 event and bringing a policy decision on future festivals to council in July, with any necessary supplemental budget adjustments after that policy decision.
No final decisions were made during the session; staff asked for guidance on whether to include half-year or full-year allocations for future events in the coming proposed budget and said they would present post-event economic-impact analyses and a recommended funding approach following upcoming community engagement.
