Parks director reports 2025 budget surpluses, flags state tax changes to watch

Tim Street, director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, told the Board of Park Commissioners that parks finances finished 2025 stronger than expected, with a $208,952 general‑fund surplus and roughly $60,000 in nonreverting savings despite carryovers and project encumbrances.

Street said staff managed revenue and expenses conservatively and took advantage of eligible ARPA reimbursements to encumber projects, which helped preserve cash reserves. He pointed to a $155,000 encumbrance for a mobile stage approved late last year and said the department will contribute about $38,000 toward Banneker steps repairs and pursue restroom renovations at Twin Lakes Rec Center in 2026.

Street also summarized potential headwinds: Senate Enrolled Act 1 is under continuing review at the state level, and the city faces a local income tax expiration in 2027 that could change local revenue options. "A lot hinges, regarding our future property tax distributions based on the results of Senate Enrolled Act 1," Street said, urging the board to consider these developments while the department completes a master plan and prepares 2027 budget discussions.

The board expressed appreciation for staff’s fiscal management and asked for continued updates as master‑plan deliverables and community engagement results become available.