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Board discusses 2026 preliminary budget, park master plan and larger capital projects
Summary
Parks staff gave an overview of the preliminary 2026 budget outlook and the park master plan timeline, emphasizing constrained revenues, planned capital needs and opportunities for grants and partnerships for larger projects such as trails and new playgrounds.
Parks staff told the Park Board that municipal revenues and sales taxes have softened and staff expect a “lean” 2026 budget, leading to prioritization of essential maintenance and selected capital projects.
A staff presenter said the department will review program fees to determine whether current charges cover program costs and noted that capital-equipment needs (lawnmowers, etc.) will be funded from the sales-tax capital fund rather than operating budgets. The park master plan is listed in a sales-tax capital request (the presenter estimated roughly $64,000–$68,000 for the plan); staff said the board’s formal role includes recommending park priorities and providing input for the budget that will be presented to the city council in October with ordinance adoption typically in November.
Staff outlined fund structure for park operations: a general fund for routine park maintenance and staffing; a recreation fund that holds registration fees and donations to support programming; a second‑penny sales tax fund used for larger capital purchases; and separate funds for the pool and debt service. Staff also said the pool losses have typically been covered by third‑penny sales-tax receipts with additional second‑penny support when necessary.
Board members and attendees discussed long‑range capital options, including acquiring green space associated with new subdivisions, potential playground purchases for developing neighborhoods, trail extensions and completing the town’s bicycle/trail network. Staff cautioned that several large projects (trail completion to West Evergreen, major field reconstructions, shaded bleachers or concrete walks) may require external grants such as Transportation Alternatives or Land and Water Conservation Fund grants and multi‑year planning.
Staff asked the board for priorities to guide preparation of a draft 2026 budget to return next month for review; attendees suggested prioritizing (1) netting and safety upgrades at youth fields, (2) small near‑term fixes that volunteers can help with (benches, paint, porta‑potties, gravel at the campground) and (3) pursuing grants and partnerships for larger items (trail completion, new playgrounds).
