Parks board approves $12.2 million 2025 general fund budget, highlights master plan and rising security costs

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners on Tuesday approved the department's 2025 general fund budget request of $12.2 million, following a presentation from Parks Director Tim Street that outlined department priorities, capital needs and rising security costs.

Street told commissioners the proposed budget reflects two tracks — the general fund and a separately managed nonreverting fund — and emphasized a push toward outcome-based budgeting. "We have 2 budgets. We have our general fund budget...and then we have our nonreverting budget," he said, noting the department is bringing some 400-level capital items into a separate capital bond process to reduce the parks general fund impact. The budget request accounts for a roughly 3% increase in personnel costs tied to cost-of-living adjustments and staffing counts that include roughly 65 full‑time positions and the full‑time equivalent of about 62 temporary staff.

Street described five strategic goals driving the request: complete a statistically representative master plan (estimated consultant impact about $127,000 in the general fund), activate Hopewell Commons and the Beeline corridor, address aging sports facilities and accessibility shortcomings, continue urban green‑space and climate resiliency work, and improve connectivity through capital projects and grant pursuit.

On pools and sports facilities, commissioners pressed for clarity on long‑term capital planning and potential expansion. Commissioner Dylan asked whether Bridal Park Pool — built in 1959 — has been evaluated for expansion or a modern replacement. Street said the master plan process will include targeted questions for sports‑facility capital planning and noted staff must balance deferred maintenance and renovation costs. He said, "we need to take a look at, okay, do we continue to put money into the same facility...or at some point...a renovation is actually more cost effective than just an ongoing repair." The master plan RFP is expected this year, with results aimed for the third quarter of 2025 and a plan covering 2026–2030.

Security and park behavior were also central to the discussion. Street said security expenditures have risen because parks staff are responding to graffiti, vandalism, encampments and other behaviors that divert resources. He said staff have coordinated budget conversations with the mayor's office and city council and noted that a forthcoming police contract settlement could help increase officer numbers and reduce contracted security needs.

After questions, an unidentified commissioner moved to approve the 2025 general fund budget; the motion passed by unanimous roll‑call vote. The board will see a nonreverting budget item for Hopewell Commons and other projects in the coming months for separate consideration.

The board adjourned the presentation portion of its agenda and moved on to several contract and MOU votes later in the meeting.