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Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Parks and Recreation Operating Budget New Year Requests (Erin O’Brien, Business Program Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission be apprised of the Department’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 operating budget requests.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Each year, the City is required to prepare and submit an updated operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which is subsequently reviewed and adopted by the City Council. As the Commission is aware, the City’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The budget process provides an opportunity to align departmental operations with citywide initiatives, evaluate resources needed, and ensure responsible fiscal planning.
As part of the City’s broader FY 2026-2027 budget development process, departments evaluated historical spending trends and expenditure slack from prior fiscal years to identify opportunities for operational savings and budgetary efficiencies while maintaining existing service levels. Through this review, the Parks and Recreation Department identified targeted savings and budget balance reductions within the operating budget. Said reductions are not expected to impact programs or drastically affect service levels.
In preparing the Parks and Recreation Department’s FY 2026-2027 budget package, staff considered the following key factors:
• Anticipated costs associated with the ongoing operation and maintenance of the New Aquatic Center
• Net neutral budget impacts
• Trends in program revenue projections
FY 2026-2027 General Fund Appropriation Payroll Requests: Total $1,076,231
Net Neutral Position Changes
1. 1.0 FTE Building Maintenance Stationary Engineer to 1.0 FTE Lead Craftsworker
2. 1.0 FTE Arborist Technician to 1.0 FTE Parks Maintenance Supervisor
New Positions
1. 0.23 FTE Recreation & Community Services Coordinator (Combined with the previously approved 0.27 FTE in FY 2025-2026, this request completes the ongoing 0.5 part-time regular Coordinator position supporting the New Aquatic Center)
2. 1.65 FTE Recreation Leader II (Swim instructors related to the New Aquatic Center)
3. 10.59 FTE Recreation Leader III (Lifeguards related to the New Aquatic Center)
4. 3.3 FTE Recreation Leader IV (Head Lifeguards related to the New Aquatic Center)
5. 1.0 FTE Park Maintenance Worker (Hourly Park Maintenance Worker related to support the New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue and Centennial Way Park South to maintain current service standards)
6. 0.5 FTE Building Maintenance Custodian (Combined with the 0.5 FTE in FY 2025-26 completes the ongoing 1.0 FTE Building Maintenance Custodian position for the New Aquatic Center and Westborough Preschool)
FY 2026-2027 General Fund Appropriation Supplies & Services Requests: Total $310,141
Aquatics Center Related Requests
1. $37,160 (Office and Operating Supplies)
2. $21,936 (Staff Hiring, Training, and Uniforms)
3. $53,598 (Pool Maintenance and Contract Services)
4. $136,447 (Utility Adjustments - Gas/Electricity & Water)
New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue Requests
1. $61,000 (Utility Adjustment - Water)
FY 2026-2027 Revenue Increase Adjustments: Total $1,039,635
1. $244,500 (Aquatics)
2. $795,135 (Childcare - Youth Enrichment Services)
The Budget Standing Committee of the City Council met on May 14, 2026, where Finance Director Donnelly presented the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget for initial feedback. The agenda for this meeting can be found via the City’s Legistar portal: <https://ci-ssf-ca.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.> The FY 2026-27 budget is expected to be studied by the full City Council at the regular City Council meeting on May 27, 2026.
CONCLUSION
This report summarizes the Parks and Recreation Department’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget requests and budget balance savings/reductions. The items presented in this report are still in the preliminary stages and may change as the City Council reviews, discusses and provides direction on the budget. Staff will provide an administrative update regarding the Department budget at a future meeting should changes occur during the City Council review process. This item is presented for informational purposes only and no formal Commission action is required.