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Germantown parks department reports restored budget, capital projects and growing farmers market
Summary
Department leaders told the Parks & Recreation Commission the 2026 budget was restored, additional funds were approved to cover higher-than-budgeted card-processing and software costs, and about $55,000 was allocated for courts, fencing and dugouts; director also reported vandalism incidents, senior-center staffing on medical leave, and plans for a larger farmers market and July 4 activities.
Germantown’s Parks & Recreation Department reported that its 2026 budget was restored and outlined several operational and capital items the department will pursue in the coming year.
Director Standridge said the department expects to "be running up to the full $1.82 for 2026," and described several line‑item adjustments and revenue offsets. He told commissioners that a recreation celebration earlier looked $8,000 short on paper but donations and beer sales produced more than $30,000, covering that gap. The department had budgeted $21,000 for credit-card processing fees but actual expense reached about $36,000; the village board granted roughly $15,000 to cover that difference. Standridge also noted an annual RecTrac registration/accounting cost typically near $18,000 had been underbudgeted at $8,000 and additional funds were provided to cover it.
On capital projects, Standridge said the village approved about $55,000 to address tennis-court repairs and fencing and to add pickleball lines at Alpauer; a separate allocation of about $22,000 will pay for audio/visual upgrades and remodeling of three rooms at the senior center to attract more baby‑boomer use. He described field improvements at Freystad Field (new fencing, backstops, dugouts) and planned dugouts and netting at Kinderburg in 2026.
Standridge also reported a spate of vandalism across village parks. Public works replaced a damaged shed door at Alpauer at a cost of $600; one damaged ATV required roughly $800 in repairs. He said police reports have been filed and restitution would be sought if suspects are caught.
On senior-center staffing, Standridge said longtime coordinator Mary Fiegel is on FMLA and in rehab; her assistant Susan and other staff have increased hours to maintain operations while Fiegel recovers.
The director reported the farmers market grew to as many as 33 vendors this season and vendors told staff they would return in 2026; vendors also asked for more promotion and links on the village Facebook page. Standridge said the chamber has agreed to take over the July 4 parade and the parks department will coordinate food vendors, live music and fireworks planning; volunteers will be needed.
What’s next: the director said a proposal to demo the old Fireman's Park shelter and reallocate funds toward a phased remodel of the fire station will go before the village board in mid-December (potentially rescheduled). Commissioners thanked staff for the budget work and noted staffing increases and restored operations dollars were important outcomes.
