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Advisory members warn of looming budget shortfall; foundation asked to boost giving
Summary
District advisory committee members said a red/green prioritization exercise exposed hard choices and flagged a roughly $622,000 budget gap. The foundation was asked to increase giving by about 20% (to $300,000) for fiscal 26/27 to help cover the shortfall.
Members of the NCPRD District Advisory Committee said a budgeting exercise last week highlighted services likely to face cuts and underscored a widening funding gap for the coming fiscal year.
Joel Bergman, a DAC member leading the recap, said committee participants were asked to place green dots on programs they felt aligned with the district mission and red dots on those that did not. He said the activity revealed priorities such as operations, maintenance and aquatic services, while social services, community-based supports and older-adult programs received many red dots. "There is going to be cuts again," Bergman said, summarizing the exercise.
The committee reported a current projected deficit cited during the meeting as $622,000. Board members said the district has already taken administrative steps — including commissioning a consultant to explore alternative funding sources and adopting a system plan — but that the gap remains significant.
Foundation leaders and board members discussed a request made to the Milwaukee Community Center Foundation to increase its annual contribution by roughly 20% to $300,000 for fiscal 26/27 — an amount the meeting transcript characterizes as "just under half of their deficit." Foundation representatives said that level of increase would be difficult to meet. One foundation member described a 20% increase as "humongous."
Committee members urged residents and advisory members to provide public input to the board of directors and the county board that oversees the district, arguing that public testimony and written comments could influence final budget decisions. "If CPRD can't do this, who will do it?" Bergman asked, noting that some peer jurisdictions rely on municipalities rather than a parks district to deliver older-adult services.
The DAC said further budget detail and a more detailed breakdown will be provided to members before the next DAC meeting so participants can offer informed feedback. The advisory committee is scheduled to reconvene in January; Metro grant updates and other funding opportunities are expected to be discussed at upcoming meetings.
