The parks budget for fiscal 2025–26 was presented as a separate fund that covers operations, debt service and capital, and department staff told council the parks fund is not drawing on general fund dollars in the proposed budget.

Why it matters: Councilors and staff discussed capital projects including the West Florissant Community Park and a proposed playground at Nesbitt Newton Park; the parks director said those projects rely on grants still to be collected. Councilors also requested safety measures for parks where vehicles are driving onto turf.

Details: Parks director Joseph Seastrom said the parks fund is forecasting a modest surplus after transfers and debt service; the department still expects to collect roughly $1 million in outstanding grant reimbursements related to the West Florissant park and a community center playground. Staff flagged utilities and pool maintenance as significant operating costs and said they had bumped water and electric line items after discovering a pool leak last year. To address vehicle incursions that tear turf, the parks director proposed natural barriers such as trees, bushes and boulders and said bollards at entrances are included as capital asks.

Programs and fees: The parks director noted summer camps sold out quickly (roughly 180 capacity), and the department is considering ways to expand capacity; pool nonresident fees were increased last year and generated revenue without significantly depressing use. Staff noted rising minimum wage will pressure seasonal labor costs in coming budgets and advised council the department may need to consider schedule or fee changes next year to manage wage compression.

Next steps: Council asked staff to show metrics on resident vs. nonresident use for summer programs and to detail grant timing for capital projects; the parks director said he would return with more granular capital and grant schedules.