Hot Springs County Recreation District budget approved as levy revenue falls; program fees to rise

The Hot Springs County School District No. 1 board approved the Hot Springs County Recreation District’s FY2026–27 budget after a presentation by Recreation Director Brian Parker (Speaker 7). Parker told trustees the district’s levy revenue has declined compared with prior years, producing a projected operational shortfall that the rec board is addressing by modest program fee increases and using savings for capital improvements.

Parker said the rec district’s strategy includes a $20 increase in participation fees “across 4” (four program lines) to help offset lower levy receipts and ensure programs are not operating in deficit. He explained the rec district has built some savings and is using those funds to maintain and upgrade facilities and equipment, and that the board is pursuing a feasibility study for a proposed new rec center.

Trustees pressed for details about the highlighted $30,000 in funding requests and available scholarships; Parker said the highlighted items were funded requests and scholarship options remain available on a case‑by‑case basis. The rec director reported total assets including bank accounts and CDs (detailed numbers provided in the presentation).

The board moved and approved the budget by voice vote. Trustees thanked rec district leadership for community programming and noted the mill (levy) decline could limit future funding requests without additional revenue or concessions.