City of Pocatello Budget Development Meeting 06 04 26

The City of Pocatello held a budget development meeting on June 4, 2026, focusing on the Parks and Recreation Department's various divisions including cemetery operations, parks maintenance, golf course management, team sports, Ross Park Aquatic Center, and the community recreation center. Key procurement-related discussions included plans to go out to bid for the golf course concession contract expiring in FY28, with an emphasis on exploring new vendor opportunities. Budget increases were proposed for seasonal staff wages across multiple divisions, with specific examples such as a 20% increase for cemetery seasonal pay and a 10% increase for zoo seasonal staff. Capital improvement projects highlighted included irrigation system remodels for golf courses, restroom upgrades, deferred maintenance, parking lot paving plans, and potential automation technologies like remote-controlled mowers. The meeting also addressed funding strategies for future cemetery expansions, golf course infrastructure, and aquatic center filtration system replacements, with some projects potentially funded through reserves or grants. The Parks and Recreation administration emphasized leveraging public-private partnerships and sponsorships to supplement city funding. Several smaller projects and maintenance needs were discussed with the approach of prioritizing and seeking bids before council approval, often through budget amendments. Overall, the meeting detailed comprehensive budget planning with a focus on staffing, capital improvements, contract renewals, and operational efficiencies within the Parks and Recreation Department.