Parks board recommends $7.4 million 2025 operating budget, cites staffing and special-revenue uses

The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board voted Oct. 21 to recommend the proposed 2025 executive operating budget to the Finance Committee, the board’s director said. The motion, moved in the meeting by Jennifer Wallner and seconded by Erica Yoss, passed unanimously.

The board’s director presented the department’s proposed total at roughly $7,412,000.99 and explained that about $1,680,000 of that total is special revenue — fees and self-supporting program accounts such as Oktoberfest — leaving an estimated $5,731,730 from the city’s general fund. "Our overall budget is $7,412,000.99," the director said during the presentation. He added that the department will be reviewed by the Finance Committee the following day.

Why it matters: the split between general fund and special revenue affects how much of parks programming is sustained by taxes versus program fees and sponsorships. Board members heard that the personnel portion of the budget is up about 3.5%, driven mostly by benefit costs, while operating expenses are down about 1.4% overall.

Staff and program highlights cited to justify budget items included a CHIP (Community Health Improvement Plan) fall-prevention grant, a strategic plan the department hopes to return to the board in December, and formalizing shared-service arrangements with Public Works for snow operations and spring staffing. Mary Berg, who manages recreation programming, described the CHIP classes as successful: "Classes are going really, really well," and said six of 12 instructors have been trained with more training scheduled.

Special-revenue investments drew particular attention. Berg said the department plans to purchase two TurboChef ovens at about $20,000 each (approximately $40,000 total with wiring) to improve concession efficiency and margins; she said the department expects a return on investment in about 1½ to 3 years. "It cooks much more efficiently, 80% faster, and it uses less energy," Berg said of the TurboChef.

The director also stressed volunteer contributions and metrics: the department projects about 27,500 volunteer hours this year, 17,700 volunteer engagement hours and roughly 1,800 unduplicated volunteers. He estimated volunteer-contributed value conservatively between $500,000 and $800,000.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the recommendation to forward the proposed 2025 operating budget to the Finance Committee (motion: Jennifer Wallner; second: Erica Yoss; outcome: approved unanimously). The board also approved the minutes from the Sept. 9 meeting (mover recorded in the transcript as Erin Comer; second: Jennifer Wallner; outcome: approved after a clerical correction) and approved the 2025 meeting schedule (motion and second recorded in the meeting; outcome: approved unanimously).

What’s next: the Finance Committee review was scheduled for Oct. 22; final budget approval would occur later in the city's formal budget process.