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Parks staff outline 2026 budget plans, capital needs and community priorities
Summary
Staff presented the proposed 2026 Parks & Recreation budget, citing planned wage adjustments, new revenue from a fifth summer day camp site and the Lake Country Football Club agreement, and capital items including vehicle/mower replacements and possible purchase or contracting for a laser grader for ball diamonds.
Parks & Recreation staff presented highlights of the proposed 2026 budget and capital plan, describing projected revenue increases, staffing considerations and capital-replacement needs.
Speaker 4 told the board the packet header contained a typo but the material is the 2026 proposal. Staff proposed a 3% wage increase for seasonal positions, projected approximately $48,000 additional revenue from tournament rentals and building rentals, and a $50,000 revenue increase tied to opening a fifth summer day-camp site at the sports complex. Staff also said revenue lines will include Lake Country Football Club fees.
On capital needs, staff listed four priority equipment replacements for next year (a one-ton dump truck, a 2023 wing mower, a rebuilt wing mower and a 2014 trailer) and presented options for handling ball-diamond maintenance. Staff shared a KEI contractor quote and a quote for purchasing a laser grader; board members discussed cost, frequency of use and whether purchasing the machine would pay off versus contracting or renting. Staff suggested a break-even at three-to-four diamonds and noted material costs would still apply.
Board members also reviewed park improvement funding (the village park improvement fund) and priorities for resurfacing tennis/pickleball courts and LED pavilion lighting. Staff reported the village park improvement fund balance is low after recent projects and proposed prioritizing projects and returning with a firm capital recommendation.
The board discussed strong community survey results (836 responses), high satisfaction rates (reported 91% satisfied in 2025 v. 67% in 2020) and strong interest in trails, aquatics and youth programming; staff recommended adding top-survey items to a five-year goals list to enable grant applications and further study.
