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Parks and Rec presents 2026 draft operations budget; staff highlight events, 4K expansion and splash-pad upgrades
Summary
Staff presented the Parks and Recreation operational budget draft for 2026, citing new revenues from special events and rentals, increased 4K and wrap-care activity, higher expenses from added event programming and facility heating, and continued efforts to reduce general fund impact ahead of village board approval.
Village of Jackson Parks and Recreation staff presented the department’s draft 2026 operational budget and highlights to the commission during its Sept. 16 meeting.
The presentation reviewed revenue expectations, program growth and planned capital spending, and noted staff will present an updated operational budget to the village board in October to meet direction to reduce the general fund impact.
Why it matters: the budget defines staffing, program and event capacity for 2026 and guides decisions on splash-pad upgrades, dog-park construction and 4K programming.
Staff emphasized partnerships that support programs through volunteers, monetary and in-kind contributions and said those relationships add value beyond direct revenue. The director said the department expects higher revenue from special events overall even though the number of beer gardens will drop from three to one; the department plans to add more “music in the park” events and other new activities.
On early childhood programming, staff said the wrap-care program started this year with 10 participants and that the department now runs both morning and afternoon 4K sessions, increasing student count and related revenue. The presentation noted that building and shelter rental demand — particularly for a newly opened auditorium — is expected to rise and add rental revenue.
Staff identified expense increases tied to staffing (raises and additional staffing for 4K and wrap-care), higher special-events costs and increased utility/maintenance costs from heating two additional wings of the expanded community center. The director said staff currently plan to spread some splash-pad upgrade costs over multiple years and to complete at least an initial phase of that project in 2026.
Commissioners pressed staff on several line items. When asked whether the $15,000 special-events projection related only to concerts, staff said the figure reflects a reconfigured mix of fewer beer gardens and more frequent music-in-the-park events. Staff also acknowledged the department expects to use less hotel-motel funding than in prior years and that approximately $13,000 of special-event costs will likely be moved into the Parks and Rec operational budget unless additional sponsorships are secured.
Staff said the operational budget as presented to the village board earlier will be revised and returned to the commission in October with further adjustments to reach the village board’s general fund target.
Ending: commissioners voted to put the presentation on file; staff will deliver the revised operational budget to the village board in October.
