Parks and Recreation trims staff lines, delays capital work after bids exceed estimates; Kinloch renovation and Kennedy pool cited as priorities

Department of Parks and Recreation Director Brian Schafer presented the department’s recommended 2026 Park Maintenance Fund budget to the County Council’s budget committee on Oct. 14, saying the proposed budget is $40,092,423, a 9.4% decrease from the 2025 adjusted budget.

Why it matters: Parks operates as a self‑funded department relying on a mix of property tax, sales tax, rents and user fees. Council members pressed Parks officials on staffing, procurement challenges, large unfunded capital needs and sponsorship opportunities to boost revenue.

Budget highlights and staffing

Schafer said personnel costs account for about 50% of the proposed budget; the department shows 413 positions (249 full‑time / 164 part‑time intermittent) or about 292.1 full‑time equivalents. To reduce costs and align with workload, the department removed 56 vacant positions (40 vacant for more than a year, 16 unfunded), Schafer said. He said the changes allowed Parks to absorb mandated merit increases without exceeding available funds.

Revenue mix

Schafer described the department''s revenue composition on the record: real estate/property tax revenue provides roughly 42% of the fund…