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Lancaster parks board unanimously approves 2026 budget and amends pay ordinance to add seasonal hires
Summary
On Oct. 1, 2025 the Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved the Parks Departments final 2026 budget and passed pay-ordinance updates to create seasonal positions and separate management/exempt sections; the budget projects an anticipated fund balance of about $1.52 million for Fund 2012.
The Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved the Parks & Recreation Departments 2026 budget and adopted updates to the department pay ordinance at a public meeting on Oct. 1, 2025.
Superintendent Steve Gayfield presented the final draft of the departments 2026 budget and the proposed pay-ordinance amendments. The ordinance changes were described as separating management and supervisory staff into a distinct pay section to delineate exempt salaried staff from non-exempt hourly staff, updating the number of Park Attendant III positions from two to three while removing one Park Attendant II position, and adding a mechanism to allow seasonal hires. The staff report attached to the ordinance notes a projected direct salary cost of approximately $2,038.40 for adding a third Park Attendant III, excluding related fringe costs.
Commissioner Bob Lovell moved to approve the pay ordinance as submitted; the motion was recorded as passing unanimously. Commissioner Kari James moved to approve the final 2026 budget as presented; Mr. Lovell seconded and the motion passed unanimously without further discussion. Earlier in the meeting the board approved Septembers minutes and ratified payment of department expenses, also by unanimous votes.
Key budget figures in the materials presented include a projected 12/31/2025 fund balance for Fund 2012 (Parks & Recreation) of $1,300,000 and projected 2026 revenue of $4,848,364, yielding a total projected fund balance of $6,148,364 and anticipated fund balance at 12/31/2026 of $1,519,198 after budgeted expenses. The staff report and exhibits provide line-item detail across personnel, services, operating supplies, capital and transfers.
Why it matters: the budget adoption and pay-ordinance amendments set department staffing authority, position counts and the fiscal framework for parks operations and programs in 2026. The incremental cost of one additional Park Attendant III was noted on the record; larger capital decisions (including any pool work identified in the aquatics study) would require separate approvals.
The board scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall.
