Parks staff updated the Franklin City Parks Board on early planning for the 2026 city budget and long-range park bond work that could fund multiple facility renovations, including the recreation center and aquatic facilities.

"We're in the planning stages right now of the 2026 budget," Speaker 3, a parks staff member, told the board. Staff met with the mayor earlier in the month and plan to present the proposed budget to the city council at its second meeting in August. The parks portion will include a new building services position to maintain the recently opened active adult center; staff said utility costs were expected but likely lower because the new building is more efficient than the old facility.

Board members and staff discussed long-term options for the pool. Staff said the city typically issues a parks bond about every 15 years and that an eventual large new pool would be expensive. "In an ideal world ... we build a bigger one someplace else," Speaker 3 said, adding a rough construction estimate: "we're talking about $30,000,000 is what it would take to build one." Given land constraints and parking limitations at the existing site, staff said the board will likely focus on renovating the current pool to extend its life while planning for any future new facility.

Staff also said the last park bond funded projects including playground replacements and road paving in cemeteries and that the previous bond was about $3,600,000; staff said a future bond would be larger but did not provide a figure. The board will review the draft 2026 budget before the next meeting.

No formal budget adoption occurred at this meeting; staff said they will return with a draft for board review and recommended priorities when it is ready.