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Parks and Rec presents 0‑based budget; council questions childcare subsidy and staffing
Summary
Parks & Recreation staff walked council through a 0‑based budget for five divisions, highlighting that the childcare program serves roughly 80–108 children daily, is staffed by 3 full‑time and 8–9 part‑time employees during the school year, and is subsidized by approximately $2,200 per child annually.
Parks and Recreation staff presented a 0‑based budget model to Winchester City Council on March 10, detailing five divisions and ranked decision packages for FY2027.
The presenter (introduced in the packet as Mary Blow) said 0‑based budgeting asks managers to build budgets from the ground up and rank decision packages by priority. The department reviewed childcare, aquatics, community recreation, recreation special events and athletics, showing operating budgets, staffing levels and revenue projections.
On childcare, staff said the program brings in significant fee revenue but remains subsidized by general dollars. Council figures in the presentation showed childcare producing about $290,000 in revenue while costing roughly $512,000 — a subsidy the presenter summarized as “about $2,200 per kid per year.” Councilors pressed on staffing: the program lists 3 full‑time FTEs and about 8–9 part‑time employees during the school year, serving roughly 80–108 children daily, with age groups from kindergarten through middle school.
On aquatics, staff said operating costs are driven by staffing and maintenance — especially pool chemicals and lifeguard coverage — and that the indoor pool is heavily used (early morning to late evening hours) with similar summer outdoor pool hours. Staffing challenges for summer lifeguards were cited as a constraint on extending season length.
Councilors generally praised the clarity of the 0‑based approach but emphasized choices about prioritization: one councilor urged moving all line items up in rank to protect staff and training, while others warned the model could encourage across‑the‑board cuts if not balanced against growth objectives. Staff and council agreed to continue examining line items and to provide the usual line‑item detail in the formal budget packet.
The council thanked Parks and Rec staff for the presentation and asked staff to return with any requested clarifications for budget deliberations.
