Boulder Parks advisory board begins 2026 budget review, hears update on South Boulder rec center funding; elects Jenny Robbins chair and Andrew Bernstein vice‑​

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Monday received a detailed briefing on the department's 2026 budget development and six‑year capital investment program and heard that the proposed new South Boulder recreation center does not yet have funding for design or construction.

Director of Parks and Recreation Ali Rose told the board the council and finance teams are focused on aligning scarce dollars with the city's highest priorities. "The key messaging that we continue to hear from the city is that we need to put our dollars towards the highest and best use," Rose said.

The board also completed routine business: it inducted new members, then elected Jenny Robbins as chair and Andrew Vernon Bernstein as vice chair by roll call.

Why it matters: The Parks department faces constrained revenue forecasts for 2026 and beyond, officials said, driven by slowing sales and property tax growth and cost escalation on capital projects. Several large projects and potential ballot measures — including work that could fund major building replacements such as a new South Boulder recreation center — are being shaped now for possible 2025–26 ballot consideration.

Budget and capital highlights

City staff said the department's operating and capital budgets will be shaped by a constrained financial forecast, a multi‑step internal development process and the city's long‑term financial strategy. Stacy Hoffman, the department budget analyst, described the timeline and roles: the PRAB will review a draft operating and capital budget in June and is scheduled to vote on a recommendation in July before the package goes to the executive budget team, the planning board and then city council in the fall.

Stacy Hoffman said the department will apply a series of steps — a base budget, net‑zero realignments, prioritized enhancement requests and the capital investment program (CIP) — to match service priorities and revenues. "Because we are very fiscally constrained going into 2026, we will then move into what is called an realignment phase," Hoffman said.

Staff noted a number of specific fiscal and program risks: sales and property tax growth have moderated, federal funding is uncertain, and construction and equipment costs have risen sharply. The department also highlighted a growing deferred‑maintenance gap: planners said replacing play areas at current industry standards would require roughly $5 million per year, while annual funding has been around $500,000.

South Boulder recreation center

Board members pressed staff about the South Boulder recreation center, which community members have prioritized. Jackson Height and Ali Rose said there is currently no committed funding for design or construction. "The critical status update now is that there is no funding for design or investment in the New South Boulder Recreation Center," Rose said. Staff said the center is likely to be considered as part of the citywide long‑term financial strategy and the "Fund Our Future" public engagement and would be a candidate for an enhancement or bond in a later ballot cycle rather than a guaranteed inclusion in 2025.

Staff described two linked processes: (1) the '25 effort to address core service and life‑cycle funding, and (2) a broader '26 conversation about major building replacements and enhancements that could be included in a ballot package after community engagement. The department also said it will pursue grants and philanthropic donations for capital projects where feasible.

Elections and procedural items

The board elected Jenny Robbins as chair after a motion and roll‑call vote; members present voted unanimously to elect Robbins. The board later elected Andrew Vernon Bernstein as vice chair. The board also approved its consent agenda, which included minutes and routine operations updates.

Liaisons and next steps

Staff asked board members to serve as liaisons to key projects (Primoz, Civic Area phase 2, future recreation centers, play and partnerships and others) so individual board members can develop deeper project knowledge and help shape community engagement. The board assigned members to initial liaison roles and agreed the list can change as projects evolve.

What happens next

Staff will return with preliminary numbers in June and a formal recommendation request in July. The board's July action will be packaged for the executive budget team and city council and could inform ballot language if the council elects to pursue a voter measure for additional capital funding in 2026.

Votes at a glance

- Jenny Robbins elected chair — motion moved, seconded; roll‑call recorded unanimous "yes" votes from board members present. - Andrew Vernon Bernstein elected vice chair — motion moved, seconded; roll‑call recorded unanimous "yes" votes from board members present. - Consent agenda approved — voice vote; approved.

Ending

Board members asked for additional detail on specific projects and asset‑management priorities at upcoming meetings. Staff said they will bring back draft budget numbers next month and that PRAB's formal recommendation in July will be used in the city budget process and to inform council's long‑term financial strategy discussions.