Parks & Recreation Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Monona Parks & Recreation meeting on September 9, 2026, reviewed seven proposed 2027 operating budgets. Staff described the budgets as largely maintaining current service levels, with no new staff or major new expenditures; costs are driven chiefly by wages and health insurance. The budgets cover parks, recreation programs, the community center, pool, after-school care, and Grand Crossing Park. The Grand Crossing budget includes a proposed $48,000 tax-levy subsidy. Staff also reported switching credit-card processors, with year-to-date savings projected at at least $75,000 compared with 2025 processing costs of about $198,000 across the department’s budgets.

Discussion included ongoing contracted maintenance and service costs, a $4,000 slush-machine purchase for the pool, and a chemical maintenance plan with Carico Aquatics. Potential capital work—including skate-park halfpipe repairs and pool parking-lot engineering—was discussed as subject to the separate capital-budget process, not approved at this meeting. A motion to recommend approval of all seven operating budgets to the mayor for inclusion in the 2027 operating budget passed. No specific new contract award or procurement approval was identified.