Monona parks and rec breaks out budgets, leans on program revenue; pool and rink carry taxpayer subsidy and operating costs
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Summary
Parks & Recreation presented seven budgets, separated program accounts (recreation, canoe/kayak, rink, pool), and explained staffing and revenue plans. Jake Anderson said the outdoor pool will still need an estimated $163,000 subsidy and highlighted the Grand Crossing rink as a growing regional draw.
Jake Anderson, Parks & Recreation Director, presented a multi‑budget review that separates previously consolidated recreation accounts into stand‑alone budgets for clearer revenue/expense tracking. He said the department employs roughly 10 full‑time staff and more than 150 seasonal employees annually, and that several program budgets (after school, summer camp, Grand Crossing rink, pool, canoe/kayak rentals) are structured to recover program costs through fees and partnerships.
On facilities, Anderson said the community center shares space with the senior center and faces immediate HVAC and thermostat control issues that will likely require a budget amendment. He walked the committee through the Maywood 4K wrap program (projected ~$109,000 in revenue) and the after‑school program (about $500,000 in projected revenue), noting both programs are largely self‑sustaining but face hiring and ratio challenges.
Anderson described Grand Crossing Park’s refrigerated rink (naming rights with Lakeridge Bank) as a regional destination with separate winter and off‑season revenue lines; he cautioned that the chiller/electrical baseline charge and higher utilities add operating costs. He also said the outdoor pool generates strong attendance but will require a taxpayer subsidy in the proposed budget (about $163,000) and that lifeguard wages were raised to remain competitive. For parks maintenance, Anderson outlined new contracted work (tree removals, invasive‑species control, beach testing, pest control) and said the city contracted a prescribed burn at Woodland Park; staff committed to creating a resident listserv to warn vulnerable neighbors ahead of burns.
Council members asked about credit‑card surcharges, canoe/kayak rentals, and the rent/lease terms at Maywood (reported as $5,000/month with a 3% escalator). Anderson said the new payment processor should reduce fees and staff will refine the breakout on a test year basis. No formal vote on park capitals or new staffing was taken; staff signaled potential future amendment requests for urgent repairs.
