City budget cuts mean end of some aquatics subsidies and phased gymnastics fee increases, Parks staff tell commission

Library and Community Services staff briefed the Parks and Recreation Commission on June 24 about how the recently adopted city budget affects Parks and Rec programming and fees. Staff said the city began the budget cycle with a roughly $7.9 million shortfall; state vehicle license fee backfill (about $1.9 million) and other adjustments helped balance the budget, but Council recommended cuts that affect Parks and Recreation operations.

The moderator summarized the finance items for commissioners: the Council recommended discontinuing subsidized payments for additional aquatics hours (staff estimated the subsidy at roughly $275,000) and approving further gymnastics fee increases phased at about 5 percent each season. Staff provided an example: gymnastics hourly fees were set to rise from $16 to $18 on July 1 and Council recommended an additional phased increase that would push per‑hour costs toward approximately $20 per hour by the end of the phase‑in, which staff said would raise seasonal costs for residents by roughly $30–$40.

Staff cautioned that the vehicle license fee backfill is not guaranteed long term; the state’s accounting of those funds is contested and the county has pursued litigation in related matters. The department said finance staff are projecting cautiously and expect to present follow‑up budget details to the commission next month, noting that some cuts and fee changes may appear in news coverage.

Commissioners raised concerns about staff vacancy rates, CIP delivery pace, and employee retention as factors that interact with budget choices. Staff said they will return in July with more specific budget implications and any programmatic adjustments for commission consideration.