Recreation budget held steady; committee consolidates Skills for the Future funding into Kids Museum NDA

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 shift toward more full‑time positions.

Key decisions and discussions

- No operating reductions: The committee did not recommend additional cuts to Recreation’s FY26 operating budget and directed staff to protect existing program lines. Members expressed particular interest in restoring and protecting pre‑recession service levels (a figure discussed during the meeting was approximately $47,319 to restore a specific line item to pre‑2008 levels).

- CIP actions: The committee recommended approval of supplemental funding and other actions to complete the Silver Spring Recreation & Aquatic Center project (the executive transmitted an additional $1.2 million in GEO bond funding to finish work and the committee previously recommended a $2.0 million supplemental appropriation). The committee also recommended a $1,791,000 reduction in the FY26 slide replacement project schedule to align slide replacement with ADA and accessibility improvements (the change defers slide replacement to pair with ADA work; staff said no immediate safety issue required removal from service).

- RecAssist: The department described RecAssist, a needs‑based subsidy program that applies to program registrations, pool passes and camps. Staff said demand for RecAssist has grown (households receiving assistance increased by 42% from 2022 to 2024) and that RecAssist is funded from the department’s current revenue stream; staff explained the accounting treatment that reduces revenue expectations in the operating plan and reconciles actuals after June 30.

- Skills for the Future / Kids Museum NDAs: The committee recommended consolidating the Skills for the Future NDA into the Kids Museum NDA (the Skills for the Future account would be zeroed and funds moved into the Kids Museum NDA). Council staff said the combined NDA would then include the Skills for the Future amounts plus existing Kidd Museum funding; staff and department leaders said consolidation simplifies administration and preserves program continuity. Committee members stressed that the merged NDA should include clear accounting of program allocations so the historic investments and outcomes remain transparent.

Why it matters: Recreation programs and the Skills for the Future funding serve low‑income youth and disproportionately reach Black and Latino participants; the committee flagged the programs as high priority for continuity amid federal and philanthropic grant uncertainty. The consolidation is administrative but intended to maintain program services and streamline oversight.

Next steps: The committee will forward its recommendations to the full Council; staff will provide clearer fiscal numbers on RecAssist flows and HIF/HPF interactions as part of the reconciliation process.