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Recreation budget held steady; committee consolidates Skills for the Future funding into Kids Museum NDA
Summary
The Finance Committee recommended no additional reductions to the Department of Recreation’s operating budget, endorsed several CIP adjustments for pools and Silver Spring Rec & Aquatic Center, and voted to consolidate the Skills for the Future NDA into the Kids Museum NDA to streamline administration of youth STEM and recreation programs.
Department of Recreation leadership described an FY26 operating request that the committee characterized as largely same‑services, plus targeted program expansions. The executive recommended a $3.64 million (5.6%) operating increase overall for Recreation, including $786,644 to expand Excel Beyond the Bell elementary after‑school programming to two new locations (Waters Landing and East Silver Spring Elementary); that specific out‑of‑school proposal was flagged to the Education & Childcare committee for separate review.
Committee members declined to add recommended reductions to the Recreation operating budget and signaled support for holding program funding that serves youth and older adults. Director Riley and staff noted long‑running maintenance and facility needs, and members discussed the department’s historically large share of seasonal, part‑time staffing and the desire to study a longer‑term…
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