Saco Parks and Recreation proposes $2.6 million budget, seeks one full-time programmer
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Summary
Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Sommer presented a FY2026 budget that would raise the department to $2,595,313, an 11.7% increase ($272,000) driven primarily by staffing and wage increases; city subsidy would fall as a share of the budget as program revenue rises.
Director Ryan Sommer presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 Parks and Recreation budget to the Saco City Council on April 7, asking for $2,595,313 and the addition of one full-time program staff position.
Sommer said the department has reduced taxpayer support from roughly 45–50% of the budget down to about 30% and that revenues are expected to rise to about $1.8 million in FY2026. "We have been able to reduce our dependency on the taxpayers from around 45 to 50% down to 30%," Sommer said.
The nut graf: The requested $272,000 increase (11.7%) is concentrated in personnel costs—roughly $204,557 (about 75% of the increase) for cost‑of‑living and market adjustments and added staffing—and about $68,000 (25%) for operating costs tied to program growth and equipment. Sommer told council the single full‑time position he requested would cost roughly $50,000; existing seasonal staff wages were raised about 6% to remain competitive.
Sommer laid out program growth as the department’s strategy to offset taxpayer support: program fees and participation have risen, enabling the department to expand offering while limiting the city subsidy. He said Parks and Recreation now operates about 70 program types and employs roughly 125 seasonal staff; from July 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 the department recorded 15,040 registrations, about a 7% increase year‑over‑year. He said the department currently has 17 full‑time staff and requested one additional full‑time recreation programmer to support senior programs, special events and the After‑the‑Bell program.
Councilors pressed Sommer on affordability and overlap with Age Friendly Saco. Councilor Berman asked how the department maintains affordability as fees fund a larger share of operations; Sommer described a scholarship program that provides 90%, 75% or 50% subsidies based on need and said the department distributes roughly $40,000 in scholarships annually. Councilor Hatch said he supports the new full‑time position but urged coordination with Age Friendly Saco to avoid duplicating services; Sommer said the position largely formalizes work now handled by long‑hour seasonal employees and emphasized collaboration with Age Friendly.
Sommer described capital and program priorities tied to the budget: fixing drainage and road access at the middle school backfields for emergency access and ADA access; continuing construction of a splash pad at the community center (in partnership with the Biddeford Saco Rotary) scheduled for May 15; and beginning design work for a destination park at Pepple Park when school property becomes available. Sommer said the department aims each year to add 10–12 new programs and reported 18 new programs for the coming year, including youth disc golf and junior theatre festival participation.
Ending: Councilors praised the department's revenue growth and program expansion in remarks after the presentation but deferred final budget decisions to the broader budget process. The council will review departmental budgets in upcoming sessions as it prepares the full city budget.
