Buda parks department presents FY2027 budget; Championship Park costs moved to new fund

Parks staff presented the City Manager’s proposed FY2027 budget, telling the commission that FY2026 amended spending was roughly $3.5 million and that the parks department’s base budget would drop to about $2.8 million in 2027 because personnel and benefits for the Sportsplex were moved into a separate Championship Park fund.

Staff listed capital requests that would remain part of parks planning: a $170,000 playground replacement for Green Meadows/Cullin County, two replacement trucks totaling about $117,000, a mini skid steer for irrigation work, a diesel generator to reduce rental costs and a mower replacement. The department said buying certain equipment has an expected return on investment that reduces long-term rental costs.

Staff emphasized the budget reductions to event lines were chosen to protect maintenance and operations funding. The commission asked clarifying questions; staff said the separation of Championship Park expenses accounts for much of the apparent year-over-year change in the parks budget.