The Williams County Park Board approved the parks department’s 2026 budget after staff described line‑item increases to cover new rural water hookups, rising garbage removal costs and planned vehicle and equipment purchases.

Why it matters: the board’s budget sets the department’s spending priorities for recreation sites and capital improvements. Staff said adjustments reflect new services coming online and higher vendor costs the department has observed.

What staff said: Jeremy, parks staff, told the board he had "bumped up a couple of things from the past, specifically water" because the county will now have rural water at every site and "I don't know what that's gonna cost," so he increased the relevant line items. He also said he increased the garbage line to respond to higher removal costs and the need for larger or additional dumpsters; "a lot of our current garbage cans, we have 1 or 2 yard dumpsters... they're really beat up," he said. For vehicles and equipment he said the budget includes $60,000 under vehicles and roughly $21,000 under equipment to allow for a used truck and several hand tools; he estimated year‑over‑year expenditures rose by about $80,000 tied primarily to new equipment.

Board action: after discussion the board moved, seconded and approved the 2026 budget in a roll call vote. Members recorded affirmative votes and the chair declared the motion passed.

Context and planning: Jeremy also reviewed a five‑year capital outlook tied to the board’s master plan and said the numbers are planning estimates rather than fixed commitments. He told members the five‑year plan will be revisited and refined as actual costs and commitments become clearer over the coming months.

What's next: staff will proceed under the approved 2026 budget and continue to refine the five‑year plan with input from commissioners and project partners.