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Board approves Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services budget; asks staff to return with plan to hire recreation specialist
Summary
Supervisors approved the parks department’s proposed FY 2025–26 budget and asked staff to return no later than the mid‑year update with a plan to add a recreation specialist position funded within existing resources.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services proposed 2025–26 budget after a department presentation and public comments from nonprofit partners and volunteers.
The presentation by Director Jeff Gaffney and Deputy Director Rebecca Hurley described a department that is serving increased demand for recreation, aquatics and cultural programming while managing rising utility and vegetation‑management costs. Gaffney said revenues from programs, Measure K district sales tax and grants help the budget but that inflation and deferred maintenance increase pressure on operations.
Why it matters: Parks face rising operating costs (utilities up ~50% in the department’s presentation), deferred‑maintenance needs across facilities and new responsibilities for vegetation management and coastal projects. Parks programs are a public‑facing county service with broad community support and regular engagement from nonprofit partners.
Key items - Budget overview: The proposed parks budget shows approximately $8.3 million in revenues, roughly $18 million in total expenditures and a general fund contribution near $6.6 million, supplemented by a $2.0 million district sales tax contribution (Measure K). Parks reported about 55 FTEs funded for FY 2025–26 and more than 1,700 developed park acres in active maintenance. - Rising costs and deferred maintenance: Department leaders highlighted a 50% rise in utilities and growing need for vegetation management and natural‑resource work, and said the last full deferred‑maintenance estimate (circa pre‑COVID) was near $100 million. The department identified projects including Freedom Lake restoration, a revised Simpkins pool slide design and South County Park interim amenities. - Staffing and partnership: Parks noted 62,000 hours of extra‑help time in seasonal programming and asked the board to consider a recreation specialist position to manage growing program offerings and to reduce reliance on temporary workers. County Park Friends and other nonprofit partners urged continued support and offered assistance in delivering programs.
Board direction and vote Supervisor Koenig moved approval of the parks budget with additional direction that staff return with a proposal to hire a recreation specialist to be funded without adding county‑cost prior to the mid‑year budget update. The motion passed unanimously.
Public comments Representatives of County Park Friends and program participants praised the parks department and asked for support to expand recreation and access grants. Several speakers highlighted volunteer contributions and the economic and social value of parks.
Next steps Staff will return with a recruitment plan and funding approach for a recreation specialist position by the mid‑year budget update; the department will continue developing project plans for capital work and report on grant opportunities and vegetation‑management priorities.
