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Parks staff outlines hours reductions tied to city’s tax‑cut objective; residents and board raise concerns
Summary
Parks staff presented proposed reductions to recreation, aquatics and library hours intended to reduce general‑fund costs; staff said the department’s work aims to help City Council deliver an overall tax reduction and that the department’s realized net change is about 2.7%, prompting questions and pushback from residents and gardeners.
Parks & Recreation staff told the Farmers Branch Parks & Recreation Board that they have proposed trimming low‑use hours across city facilities to reduce personnel costs and contribute to the City Council’s broader tax‑reduction goals.
Jessica and other staff explained they targeted low‑attendance times so that the department could reduce staffing needs while limiting service impacts; as presented, the department’s schedule changes were intended as an approximate target to help reduce the general‑fund burden. “We tried to get an approximate 10% reduction [in low‑use hours],” a staff presenter said, but staff later clarified the department’s actual net contribution toward the council’s target was roughly 2.7% after accounting for differing impacts among facilities.
Staff walked through the proposed changes: the recreation center would see reduced weekday evening hours and adjustments to Sunday and Saturday scheduling; indoor aquatics (the natatorium) would shift toward a split schedule with smaller mid‑afternoon windows and some Saturday/Friday modifications; Branch Connection and certain library evening hours would see smaller reductions. Staff said outdoor aquatics and busy weekend library hours would remain unchanged.
Board members and residents asked for the attendance and membership data underpinning the schedule changes and warned of potential revenue loss if members quit because of reduced hours. One resident representing gardeners said the community would be disproportionately affected by service reductions and expressed frustration over the scope of cuts and perceived timing. Staff reiterated that the budget proposals have been posted online, will be considered at upcoming council study sessions and public hearings in September, and that any operational changes would not take effect until after council adoption (staff suggested a practical December 1 rollout if approved).
