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Parks and streets officials ask council to add seasonal hires to 2026 budget
Summary
Parks & Recreation and Streets superintendents told the finance committee that denying $60,000 and $40,000 in seasonal wages would cut summer programs, end pool and concession operations, and reduce maintenance capacity; council asked to add the items to the ordinance and deferred formal approval to the full council.
Parks & Recreation Superintendent Mindy Stryka (S1) told the finance committee that without the requested $60,000 in seasonal wages the department would have to cancel summer camps, close the pool concession, and stop maintaining 56 parks that together host programs that generated more than $114,000 last year.
"If the $60,000 was not approved, we would have to end all our ... ball fields," Stryka said, adding the parks' programs produce revenue and support community activities. Stryka asked for 15 seasonal employees and one additional hire to restore capacity.
Street Superintendent Mike Darmas (S5) requested an additional $40,000 for seasonal employees who paint crosswalks, mow city lots and support crack-sealing crews. Both department heads said the seasonal hires are necessary to maintain assets and respond to resident complaints about high grass and unmaintained public spaces.
Council members generally signaled support and asked the auditor to amend the temporary ordinance to include the parks and streets requests for final council approval. The chair said the auditor will add the requested items to the ordinance so they can be considered when the permanent budget is presented.
