The Spokane Park Board voted to adopt the Parks and Golf 2026 budgets and approved an initial parks levy budget to allow staff to incorporate levy figures into the city’s December budget if the November ballot measure succeeds.

Rich presented a roll‑up of department budgets and the parks fund. He said program revenues were forecast modestly higher than 2025 actuals and highlighted major cost drivers: higher utility charges, increased interfund allocations (IT, central services and other city overhead) and planned capital outlays. Rich reported the parks roll‑up, as presented, showed a projected net deficit of about $570,000 pending final interfund allocations and other citywide adjustments; he said staff will continue working with the city budget office and present any necessary amendments at the board’s November meeting.

On golf, Rich said the enterprise fund had a strong year with record rounds and that the 2026 budget projects increased revenue (roughly $1 million more than current-year budget assumptions) to support equipment and capital needs; if those revenue targets are not met, capital outlays would be reduced accordingly.

On the proposed parks levy financial illustration, Rich said the plan assumes a ramp‑up of staffing and capital investment over three years, including park rangers to address safety, and recommended maintaining a reserve (approximately three months of next‑year expenses) to manage a twice‑annual levy cash flow. He said the levy budget is an initial plan to be incorporated into the city budget if voters approve the measure.

A motion to approve the Parks and Golf 2026 amended budgets and the initial parks levy budget was moved and seconded; board members voted “aye” and the motion passed. Board members and staff noted that wage and benefit costs tied to the state CPI and final interfund charges were still being finalized and could require a subsequent amendment.

Rich and staff will present any refinements at the board’s November meeting before the city council finalizes the budget in December.