Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board Meeting – 2026-10-19

The City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board convened on Monday, October 19, 2026. The main agenda items included a detailed review and recommendation of the proposed 2027 Executive Operating Budget, alongside staff reports on departmental achievements, goals, and ongoing projects. Board members present included Chair Jennifer Walner, Alderman Jack Wells, Erica Jos, Steve Johnson, and Eric Hummer. Olderman Camacho, Sarah Roth, and John Schmidt were absent. The board unanimously approved the minutes from the August 31, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided testimony during the open comment period.

Discussion Items

• 2027 Executive Operating Budget Review: The board conducted an in-depth review of the proposed 2027 budget for the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry (PRF) department, which serves as a recommendation to the city's Finance Committee.
  • Departmental Overview (Ron): Director Ron highlighted major accomplishments for the year, including a projected 35,000 volunteer hours, the Remembering Our Fallen Memorial at the Shutzee building, and a record-setting 250th Fourth of July celebration at Lowell Park (estimated 14,000 attendees, 30+ food trucks). Upcoming goals include expanding the volunteer coordinator position from 20 to full-time hours and the completion of the Miniola Park building and parking lot project. The budget was restructured, consolidating special revenue funds into the general fund, maintaining a roughly $9 million portfolio.
  • Recreation Programs (Mark Thompson): Mark Thompson reported recreation programs are overperforming. The 2026 tax subsidy is projected to be over 110,000 dollars below budget. The goal is to achieve a tax levy neutral division within 2 to 4 budget cycles. Pool expenses are projected to decrease by 3.6%. Federal Community Learning Center (CLC) grants at two school sites are being sunset, forcing the department to shift to a pay-to-play model supported by a scholarship program.
  • Administration (Mark Schram): The administration budget shows a 6.3% overall increase. Standard personnel increases account for 3.6%. A 46% increase in operating costs is mainly driven by $22,000 in software costs moved from the IT budget.
  • Parks Maintenance and Forestry (Melissa): The park maintenance budget is relatively flat with a $66,000 increase for snow and ice removal contracts. The forestry division is facing significant staffing challenges with five open arborist positions. The department has received authorization to use unspent salary funds for contracted tree services to address a growing maintenance backlog. Alderman Jack Wells discussed the possibility of using salary savings as incentives to attract and retain forestry staff, a suggestion noted for future exploration.
  • Special Events (Mark Thompson): The 4th of July celebration is the only major special event dependent on tax levy funds, with an additional $1,500 requested to cover fireworks inflation. All other events, including Oktoberfest (record revenues, $20k higher than previous years), Jamboree ($12,000 net gain), Operation Honor, and the Music/Movies in the Park series, are fully self-funded through sponsorships and alternative revenue. Mark Thompson expressed full support for the Civic Band but noted significant concern regarding the long-term viability of its sponsorship model, as securing $2,000 per concert for musicians is increasingly difficult. The Frame Park baseball field capital replacement fund is in its final year of the Carol contract.
• Board President Report: Alderman Jack Wells informed the board that the Plan Commission held a preliminary conceptual discussion regarding a proposed apartment complex adjacent to River Hills. No official action was taken, but the item is anticipated to come before the Parks Board for future discussion and review.
• Staff Reports and Updates:
  • The Parks Recreation System Master Plan is 90% complete and is expected to be presented at a joint meeting with the Plan Commission, potentially in December.
  • Construction bids for the Miniola Park pavilion are expected to go out before the end of October, with a soft opening in summer 2027 and a grand opening in fall 2027. Staff are actively pursuing naming rights sponsorships.
  • The Saratoga Lake Dredging Study is progressing, involving stakeholder meetings with business owners and downtown aldermen to weigh options like dredging or dam removal.
  • Mark Thompson reported the success of Waukesha Unlocked, featuring over 50 host sites and 250 volunteers. All waitlisted children for the before and after school program were accommodated within three weeks of the school year starting. He emphasized a critical need for an indoor recreation facility, as rental capacity has fully plateaued.
  • Melissa noted that Prairie Park athletic field renovations are underway and the Greenway Terrace Playground received its missing parts and officially opened that day.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Recommendation Approved: The board voted unanimously to recommend the proposed 2027 Executive Operating Budget for the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department to the City Council and Finance Committee for approval. (Motion by Alderman Jack Wells, seconded by Jennifer Walner).
• Minutes Approved: The board approved the minutes from the August 31, 2026 meeting unanimously.
• Next Steps: The budget recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council. Recruitment for open arborist and grounds maintenance positions will continue. Staff will present the completed Parks Master Plan in December.