Salem parks director outlines CIP and budget outlook; board delays final vote

Director Melissa reported on parks operations and a draft five-year capital improvement plan at the Salem City Parks and Recreation Board meeting. She told the board the spring soccer season included about "250 athletes" across the 4U–14U divisions, down 12 from last year, and that summer ball registration had reached 370 athletes for the 2026 season. The Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool is scheduled to be de-winterized on May 5, with a tentative opening date of May 23 "weather permitting," Melissa said.

Melissa reviewed several proposed CIP items for parks and pool facilities, including a mural for the pool exterior (the artist has offered a partial trade to reduce cost), a portable storage unit estimated at $3,600 for equipment, and an estimated $20,000 project to enclose the pool front and add air conditioning to provide a cooler and more secure entry. She also said the park’s aqua-zip safety pad needs replacement and that staff are awaiting an updated cost estimate.

On capital repairs, Melissa reported FEMA-funded creek riprap and repairs to Billy’s Playground fence are underway; the fence must be completed before July 1 to meet reimbursement paperwork timelines. She said a security-camera project was put out to bid, Jonathan from the police department helped specify requirements, and the contract was awarded to Rommel Locke; Melissa said the contractor expects the system to be wrapped up by the end of the budget year and described a system that flashes red and blue lights and includes two-way audio to deter nighttime problems.

Budget discussion focused on revenue assumptions and recent reimbursements. Staff presented projected parks fund revenues near $739,000 and explained that last year’s large miscellaneous revenue included an insurance reimbursement tied to pool damage; FEMA reimbursements are driving a significant portion of this year’s miscellaneous revenue (about $250,000). That combination helped offset a prior-year deficit, and current projections show a year-end fund balance near $771,000. Staff said the parks fund as presented shows a roughly $60,000 deficit in the draft budget but that removing or delaying a mower ($20,000) and reallocating a security-camera timing ($15,000) would reduce the deficit to closer to $25,000.

Board members said they had only recently received the packet and asked for more time to review the proposed budget in detail. One board member said they preferred to "look over it a little bit more" rather than vote tonight; staff noted the finance committee review and final budget schedule require the board to complete its review before the joint finance committee meeting planned for May 14. The board did not approve the budget at this meeting and agreed to reconvene to finalize the packet.

The board also discussed sequencing of CIP projects, noting savings achieved by using Salem City crews for the tee-ball parking lot rather than an outside contractor. Members urged development of a formal five-year plan to improve prospects for grant matching and larger projects.

The board’s next step is to schedule a follow-up meeting to review the budget in detail before the finance committee deadline. The board moved on to other agenda items without taking a final vote on the parks budget.