Belgrade parks board approves proposed FY27 budget, schedules Sept. 3 public hearing

The Belgrade Regional Parks and Trails Recreation District Board voted unanimously to approve the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and to recommend adoption by the city council, city commission and county commission, calling a public hearing for Sept. 3, 2026.

Charity Van Kirk, the city finance director, presented the fund statement and said the revenue estimate includes only a 2.97 percent inflation adjustment because legislative changes affecting valuation are still pending. "We don't entirely know yet what's going to happen with those changes," Van Kirk said, adding that final assessed values must be delivered by Aug. 7.

Why it matters: the budget sets operating and capital priorities for parks and recreation and establishes how the district plans to absorb or earmark costs tied to possible future projects. Van Kirk highlighted several items that informed the board's vote: roughly $1.1 million in projected operations, a $209,000 transfer to capital improvements, an anticipated $14,000 per year increase for recreation software carried in the technology fund, and a $5,000 baseline in the operating budget for recreation programming and supplies.

Board members pressed staff on a $6 million line the budget includes for potential debt service. Van Kirk described that figure as a planning placeholder to reserve capacity should the district move forward with acquiring regional park land. "I am currently working on a $6,000,000 debt issue for you, and we are anticipating that that will come out to about $250,000 a year on your regular payments," she said. Staff told the board the funds can be restricted or earmarked and that the city could establish a separate debt fund if the board prefers.

Discussion also covered cost‑sharing with other departments and agencies; staff said talks with public works have considered a cost‑share mechanism and that wetlands engineering work for the potential site has already started. On transfers and bookkeeping, Van Kirk said permissive levy transfers of about $20,000–$22,000 and other interfund transfers are included in the draft.

During debate the board asked for more detail on operating and capital breakdowns before final adoption; staff agreed to provide an operations‑breakdown sheet for the board to review. With those clarifications in hand, the board approved the motion and directed staff to forward the budget and schedule the public hearing.

Next steps: staff will present the budget to the city and county bodies for formal adoption and hold the public hearing on Sept. 3, 2026, after which the district expects to return for final local approval if required.