Seattle Parks District adopts Resolution 79 to reappropriate roughly $3 million for pools, racquet-sports and scholarships

The Seattle Parks District Board on June 16 adopted Resolution 79, approving a midyear reappropriation of roughly $3 million in underspent 2025 funds to address near-term priorities in the department’s capital and operating programs. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 8–0.

President (Boardmember) Juarez moved to adopt the resolution and the clerk recorded an affirmative vote from all eight members present. The board’s action transmits the proposed reappropriation for parallel review by the City Council, as required by the district’s interlocal agreement with the city.

Parks staff told the board they propose using the savings in two primary ways: to cover an upcoming annual wage-retro payment and to re‑appropriate remaining funds for capital priorities. Staff detailed several specific uses included in the resolution: funding to make the pool renovation program “whole” after unplanned structural repairs (including roof work at Medgar Evers Pool and underground piping repairs at Queen Anne Pool), replacement of the Rainier Beach cultural-stage roof damaged during a 2024 storm, investments to implement a racquet-sports strategy once that plan is finalized, compliance upgrades tied to updated state child‑care licensing (voice‑activated fire systems for new licensed programs), and a $200,000 increase for recreation scholarships.

Michelle Finnegan, Interim Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, told the board that roughly half of the proposed $3 million reappropriation would support the pool renovation program and that about $200,000 was being recommended for scholarship support.

Boardmembers questioned staff about program details during discussion prior to the vote. Councilmember Kettle, who was nominated and elected vice president earlier in the meeting, called out the Queen Anne and Medgar Evers projects as high priorities; staff answered that work is moving “as quickly as possible.” Boardmember Saka and others pressed staff for clarity on how racquet-sports funds ($600,000 in the presentation) were categorized and what community engagement would look like; staff said the amount is a one‑time augment to an existing court-resurfacing program and described planned listening sessions and a revised draft strategy to take back to the Park Board and the public.

The board’s unanimous vote sends Resolution 79 forward for the city-side budget process; staff emphasized the district cannot spend these funds until both governing bodies approve the changes. The clerk was directed to affix the board president’s signature to the resolution on the board’s behalf.

The board adjourned after the vote. The district’s next scheduled meeting is October 20, 2026.