Sports, Parks & Recreation nominee defends $9.27 million budget; senators press on grants, vacancies and racetrack funding

Commissioner‑nominee Vincent Roberts defended the governor’s FY2026 operating request for the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation: “a budget of $9,272,040,” addressing grants, staffing and facility needs at a June legislative budget hearing.

The hearing focused on why revenue collections are down, unresolved vendor obligations and several capital projects that lawmakers pressed the department to finish. Roberts and department finance director Carol Peters described multiple federal and philanthropic awards the department is managing and urged lawmakers to support extensions and reassignments where projects cannot be completed on schedule.

Why it matters: DSPR runs community recreation programs, rents facilities that generate local revenue, and holds several federal and EDA grants with deadlines. Lawmakers said missed deadlines or incomplete work could mean lost funding or higher future costs. Several projects — playground retrofits, lighting upgrades and racetrack repairs — were singled out as both community priorities and potential sources of revenue growth if completed.

Major points and details - Grants and capital projects: Roberts outlined a portfolio of awards and capital projects, including an EDA award for a 10‑playground retrofit (equipment purchased; installation out for bid), a $738,000 capital improvement grant (work stalled; department seeking liquidated damages from a contractor), and two ARPA grants (a $1,115,400 solar charging workstation award and a $279,242.78 health and wellness program). He said the department requested extensions where projects faced delays and that some grants’ installation solicitations would be advertised this month. - Doc James Racetrack and FEMA funds: Disaster recovery specialist Aro Abel reported FEMA had told the government that disaster funds for two facilities would not be available because at the time of the disaster the facilities were no longer under government purview. Senators and the commissioner said the running surface and barns at Doc James are the highest priority for horsemen; Roberts said a soil testing contractor is scheduled to begin work this month to inform repair plans. - Revenues, fees and outstanding payables: Carol Peters said facility rental revenue is down because many venues are offline for renovation; FY2024 territorial collections for rental and concessions were $307,207. DSPR had collected $204,575 to date in FY2025 and projected an additional $65,044 by year end. Peters reported outstanding vendor obligations of $212,480.89 currently awaiting check release at the Department of Finance and said most were within 30–60 days. Senators pressed for lists of unpaid vendors and faster payments. - Staffing and vacancies: Roberts provided multiple headcount figures across divisions; the department reported roughly 124 authorized DSPR positions in materials presented earlier, with a subsequently stated roll of about 120 and 10 vacancies listed in testimony. Human resources manager Ralina Pell said roughly 67 employees make under $35,000. Senators repeatedly pressed about recruitment, lifeguard shortages and wages for long‑tenured groundskeepers. - New enforcement and revenue strategies: Roberts proposed creating a recreation‑based enforcement division to regulate vendors, enforce park rules and improve revenue capture. The department also described cost‑saving measures (assigning grounds staff to specific facilities to reduce travel time and fuel use), energy retrofits, standardized equipment purchasing and a plan to reactivate a parking lot as paid parking (estimated equipment cost later discussed in Q&A). - Programs and events: DSPR listed programs and training KPIs and flagged two tourism/sports events under discussion: hosting an American Junior Golf Association tournament in 2026 and pursuing a Division I women’s tournament in 2027.

What senators pressed the department to do - Provide a vendor list and vendor payment breakdown (several senators asked the chair be sent a list of unpaid nonprofits and vendors cited in the miscellaneous grant appropriation). Roberts and Peters agreed to provide those lists. - Pursue timely grant extensions and document status for EDA/Office of Insular Affairs awards; Senator questions sought evidence the department is actively getting IFBs advertised and following up on contractor performance and bond claims. - Prioritize completing revenue‑generating renovations first (lighting retrofits, parking automation) to help offset operating costs and reduce pressure on the general fund.

Unresolved items and direction - FEMA transfers: Officials said FEMA had denied access to funds for two facilities because of ownership issues at the disaster date; the committee and agency discussed seeking reconsideration but no final outcome was reported in the hearing. - Vendor payments: Peters said outstanding payments were at Finance awaiting release; senators asked DSPR to follow up and to work with the Department of Finance to accelerate small checks. - Lifeguard hiring: Roberts said applicants often fail the swimming qualification and that DSPR will start training candidates to raise qualification rates rather than waiting for prequalified applicants.

Quotes - “We have $212,480.89 vendor payments in outstanding obligation,” Carol Peters, director of business and finance management, said when asked about the department’s vendor backlog. - “One of our most pressing needs is the creation of a dedicated enforcement division within the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation,” Commissioner‑nominee Vincent Roberts said, describing plans to regulate vendors, enforce permits and reduce vandalism.

Ending The committee did not vote on the DSPR budget request at the hearing. Senators repeatedly urged the agency to deliver requested lists (unpaid nonprofit recipients, vendor payments), show timely grant extension requests and accelerate completion of revenue‑generating projects. Roberts closed by emphasizing program priorities and staff recognition while promising to follow up with requested documentation.

Sections: Lede: Commissioner‑nominee Vincent Roberts defended a $9,272,040 FY2026 request and answered senators’ questions about grants, vendor payments and stalled capital projects. Nut graf: The hearing focused on grant deadlines, falling rental revenue and facility repairs that lawmakers said must be completed quickly to preserve funding and increase department revenue. Ending: Senators asked for follow‑up documentation and urged the department to prioritize projects that restore revenue streams while training to fill lifeguard and other vacancies.