Business manager briefs commission on adopted budget, rental fee hikes and Japanese Community Center reservation plans

Neville Smita, the department’s business manager, presented a summary of the Recreation and Parks portion of the city budget that the city council adopted June 16, 2026. He described general fund and special-district allocations, noted salaries and benefits account for the largest budget share, and said the department will complete routine year-end carryovers this fall.

Smita highlighted revenue sources including facility and park rentals (including Hagerman Sports Complex tournament rentals), recreation program fees, citation revenue and other revenue such as cell-tower lease revenue and Tesla charging station fees. He said the city council approved a fee increase for facility rentals, picnic-site and sports-field rentals that becomes effective Aug. 1.

On staffing, Smita reported recent reductions at council and that Recreation & Parks was actively recruiting for a crew leader and a special-districts planning technician; the department hired 13 staff in June across lifeguards and recreation leaders. He also said work is underway to open reservations for the Japanese Community Center: logistics are almost complete and staff expect to begin taking reservations next week, with about 20 tentative reservations penciled in.

Commissioners asked about marketing and how the department will publicize the center; staff said they will use social media and word-of-mouth, and are providing tours and targeted outreach to partner organizations.

Smita concluded by noting the department will continue to monitor revenues and staffing and return with more details as carryover adjustments are finalized in the fall.