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Parks department seeks new tree‑trimmer position, $2 million for street trees in capital plan
Summary
The parks department asked the finance committee to add a tree‑trimmer position and highlighted a $3.2 million capital allocation — including $2 million for street trees — to reverse canopy decline and support maintenance of parks facilities.
Parks department leaders told the finance committee on March 20 they need more staffing and a larger, strategic approach to managing the city’s urban forest and park buildings.
Staffing request: The proposed operating budget includes one new tree‑trimmer position (annual cost cited at roughly $61,404) to create a second crew, increase pruning and removals, and reduce deferred maintenance. Parks staff said the department currently has five certified tree trimmers and two bucket trucks; adding one position would enable safer three‑person crews for tree work and expand the department’s capacity for proactive maintenance.
Capital requests and maintenance backlog: The parks capital allocation in the mayor’s proposed budget totals $3.2 million, the department said, with $2 million earmarked for street‑tree planting and contractor support. Department staff emphasized that insect pests (emerald ash borer, beech leaf disease), disease outbreaks and more frequent storms are stressing the canopy and require sustained investment. Staff also highlighted a backlog of building repairs across about 40 park‑managed facilities and said the capital dollars will be used to arrest deterioration and support future programming.
Equipment and electrification: Parks officials noted a pilot purchase of battery‑powered equipment including an electric zero‑turn mower and two utility vehicles; staff said they are developing guidelines for safely transitioning more tools to battery power and will monitor battery life and charging practices.
Why it matters: Parks staff framed tree care as infrastructure that reduces heat, manages stormwater and improves neighborhood livability. They asked the committee to view the one new position and capital allocations as steps toward a preventative, data‑driven approach to urban forestry rather than a series of ad‑hoc responses to emergency tree work.
