The parks director briefed the Park Board Aug. 21 on highlights of the 2026 proposed budget, including a proposed new full-time building services supervisor position at the Active Adult Center and increases in part-time staff wages.
"There is a new employee, a full time employee that will, building services supervisor at the active adult center," the parks staff member said, describing the position as responsible for cleaning, setups and teardowns. The staff member said part-time staff wage increases are also included.
The parks staff member discussed a planned policy to begin charging nonresident fees across programs, memberships and facility rentals, with a resident discount for city taxpayers. "It might be a Franklin discount rate, if that makes sense. So the rate is what it is, but if you're a city resident, you're gonna get a discount off that rate," the staff member said. The staff member said the board would continue discussions in October and November and that the fee change would begin in January.
Board members asked about funding for seasonal items such as flowers; the parks staff member said flower costs were not currently in the parks budget and staff planned to discuss whether to use the gambling fund or seek direction from the mayor. "It's not in our budget. So we're gonna have to either take it from the gambling fund or, I'll have to have a discussion with the mayor about where that's coming from. Because I will tell you, we've already ordered them," the parks staff member said.
The budget update was provided as a staff summary; board members did not take a formal vote on the budget during the park board meeting and were referred to the city council agenda packet for full budget documents.