Commission reviews parks operating budget and new Pine Knob trail cost estimate; staff stresses streetscape safety goals

Finance staff presented the parks and recreation operating budget and explained revenue sources — general‑fund transfers, program fees, facility rentals and sponsorships — and the fiscal court’s projected $400,955 contribution to shared facilities. Lee said the draft shows about $2.53 million in parks operations revenue and a similar level of operating expenses in the supplemental fund.

Staff told commissioners they shifted about 40% (roughly $120,000) of a large mowing contract from the public works charge back to parks operations to align expenses with the departments that manage each site. Commissioners supported putting recurring maintenance costs into the department budgets that own the facilities to make future tradeoffs clearer.

At the fiscal court’s request staff created a new departmental line for the Pine Knob Mountain Bike Park and estimated FY27 operating costs at roughly $69,000, primarily part‑time labor, insurance and utilities; staff do not plan full‑time hires for the park in FY27.

In discussing downtown streetscape work, a presenter explained the curb changes were driven by pedestrian‑safety goals — shortening crossing distances and slowing vehicle speeds — not merely aesthetics. The presenter said the design also helps discourage large trucks from using the downtown intersection and supports pedestrian safety objectives.

What happens next: staff will present capital requests at the April capital meeting; commissioners asked staff to refine parks revenue projections with park operations managers and the county partner where applicable.