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Raytown parks department details tight budget, plans $3.2M in grant-funded capital work
Summary
Parks staff told the June 3 Board of Aldermen the department ran slightly under water in 2024, relies heavily on grant capital funds ($3.215M reported) and is seeking voter approval of a park sales tax on Aug. 5, 2025, to support operations and projects.
Parks staff delivered an annual report to the Raytown Board of Aldermen on June 3, detailing revenue and expense figures, capital grant funding and a plan for several multi‑year projects that the department says depend on outside grants and a proposed sales-tax renewal.
The parks presenter said 2024 revenue was $1,292,713 and expenses were $1,295,681, noting the department was briefly "underwater" while awaiting grant reimbursements. The presenter said capital-improvement funds available through grants total $3,215,000 (described as not local tax dollars) and highlighted an upcoming $3,000,000 fully federal omnibus grant. Planned capital spending includes approximately $2,000,000 for phase‑2 development at Terry Copeland Park and $1,000,000 for work at the Carnegie property. The department also flagged an upcoming parks sales-tax renewal and potential increase to appear on the Aug. 5, 2025 ballot.
Staff said parks operates with nine full‑time employees plus seasonal and volunteer support, maintains about 176 acres of parkland, and runs popular programs including Raytown Live and BMX events. The presenter described continuing challenges: staffing shortages (noting turnover in horticulture and program staff), vandalism and after‑curfew contacts (165 park contacts since April 28), limited storage for equipment and constrained operating revenue. The parks department asked the board and public to note the sales-tax date and attend a public Urban Land Institute presentation on June 11 about downtown and green-space recommendations.
Board members and the mayor thanked parks staff for events and volunteer partnerships; no formal action was taken on the parks items at the June 3 meeting.
