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Parks director presents $998,812 preliminary budget, flags utilities and long-term roof work
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Summary
Woodford County Parks & Recreation Director Rich Pickter presented a $998,812 preliminary budget — a 1.4% increase over last year according to the director — cited utilities and pool equipment as major cost drivers, and listed capital requests including two maintenance trucks, a skid steer and pickleball court lights.
Rich Pickter, director of Woodford County Parks & Recreation, presented the department’s preliminary budget to the fiscal committee, requesting $998,812 for the coming fiscal year. Pickter said the figure reflects an increase from the prior request and that health insurance was budgeted at an 8% placeholder while final totals from the county insurer remain unavailable. "The request from the Parks and Recreation Department of a budget request of $998,812," he said.
Pickter said the department will not add new full‑time positions but will replace a departed role through internship partnerships with Midway College and add one outside maintenance worker to upkeep growing park assets. Key operating drivers include wages and benefits (about 49% of expenses) and high utility costs, which Pickter estimated at roughly 30% of the department’s expenditures. He told the committee that indoor pool boilers are expensive and wear out frequently — "they run about $30,000 a piece" — and that utilities along with pool maintenance are recurring cost pressures.
On capital, the department requested two outdoor maintenance trucks to replace aging vehicles (Pickter cited a 24‑year‑old truck with transmission issues and an 18‑year‑old F‑250 that cannot pull trailers), a skid steer to replace a 27‑year‑old Bobcat, a snow plow and salt spreader for winter response, and improvements such as pickleball court lighting to meet rising demand. "Pickleball lights for the pickleball courts... the use of pickleball continues to grow," Pickter said, noting heavy evening and teen use.
Committee members asked about outside funding. Squire Gil asked whether the Woodford Parks Foundation could help pay for roofing; Pickter said foundation funds (he estimated $150,000–$200,000) could be applied to capital work but that large roof replacements could run near $1 million. Several members urged planning for long‑term facility upgrades, citing a Perfection Group energy audit and the need to consider a 25‑year capital plan for Falling Springs facilities.
Pickter invited members with line‑item questions to contact him directly after the presentation. The committee received the Parks & Recreation presentation and moved on to the next item.
The committee did not take a final appropriation vote on the Parks request during this session; the presentation was entered for budget review and follow‑up.
