Cross Plains trustees debate splitting parks-and-recreation director role as pool and capital questions loom

Trustees spent extensive time on Jan. 26 discussing the village’s vacant Parks & Recreation director position and the future of the community pool. The hiring committee reported that a prior recruitment effort yielded roughly 25 applicants but did not result in a hire; committee members proposed dividing the department into two positions — a recreation & aquatics director and a parks & forestry superintendent — to attract candidates with more specific skill sets and to potentially realize payroll savings.

Several trustees cautioned against a structural change without examining the original applicant pool and revisiting the job description and salary range. One trustee called the prior applicant volume a success and urged the committee to review resumes and consider reposting with a clarified job posting rather than reorganizing the department immediately. Trustees also raised concerns about the risk of losing valued existing staff if a new position is posted without clear transition steps.

Separately, the board received an extensive status update on the proposed new pool: a feasibility study and public survey (339 responses, 83% village residents) had identified preferred siting near Bear Park and a conceptual capital cost range cited in prior meetings (roughly $4–6 million in earlier estimates); trustees noted the need for clearer operational-cost estimates, volunteer and swim-team commitments, fundraising plans, and a clear project lead to shepherd a multi-year effort. The board agreed to ask staff and the Parks & Rec committee to reconvene, tighten job descriptions and salary ranges, and (if appropriate) repost the director job with clarified expectations; trustees also asked for material that would allow parallel consideration of the proposed organizational split and candidate pools.