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Parks and Recreation keeps modest budget increase; leaders point to revenue facilities and cost savings
Summary
Parks presented a modest FY26 increase (1.92%) and highlighted revenue-generating facilities — golf, hitting bays, Indian Riverside Park and waterpark — that together offset operations and support maintenance reserves.
Parks and Recreation presented a tentative FY26 budget with a 1.92% increase and described a suite of revenue‑generating facilities that county leaders said help offset operating costs. Director Kevin Abate told the board the department runs 74 parks on roughly 1,400 acres, manages a 27‑hole golf course and a family destination (Indian Riverside Park), operates a waterpark that drew roughly 55,000 visitors last year and oversees a 60‑acre campground with about 6,600 rentals in the prior year.
Revenue and efficiency: Abate said the county recently brought golf course maintenance in‑house after a roughly $1 million outsourced contract and reported combined net revenue of about $964,000 from golf and the hitting bays for the year to date. The parks director said that strategy produced savings and improved operational control.
Programs and usage: Parks said it handles more than 100 external special events and roughly 2,700 field rentals a year. The department also houses grant‑funded youth and after‑school programming supported by the Children's Services Council.
Board action: the commission unanimously approved the tentative Parks budget and praised staff performance and the department's mix of public programs and revenue activities. Commissioners encouraged continued efforts to maximize revenue where appropriate and to protect programmatic offerings such as swim lessons and community events.
Ending: Parks will continue to monitor revenues and bring back any material changes before the final FY26 adoption.
