Operating the aquatic center, mowing the fairways and running the sports leagues will cost about $1.9 million in the next Fort Dodge city fiscal year.
The city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has a $1,863,120 proposed budget for 2022-2023.
That’s up from the current $1,677,340 budget.
”We cover a lot of ground in our budget,” Lori Branderhorst, the department’s director, told the City Council Monday.
She said personnel costs account for 72 percent of the budget.
”Our department is largely people to provide the services,” she said.
During the summer months, the department’s roster swells by 250 to 300 people when part-time, seasonal employees are added.
Branderhorst said the hourly pay for those employees will be increased to help recruit and retain workers. She said $9.20 an hour will be the lowest wage.
Of the many components of the department, Lakeside Municipal Golf Course, located north of the city near John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, will have the largest proposed budget of $524,140. The golf course does not receive any tax money and is funded solely with the revenue it generates
Here are the proposed budgets for other parts of the department:
• Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex: $396,780
• Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center: $328,490
• Park maintenance: $234,580
• Citizens Central: $147,290
• Recreation general (mostly sports leagues): $88,265
• Memorial Park Cemetery: $52,250
• Oakland Cemetery: $47,300
• Streetscape maintenance: $28,500
• Oleson Park splash pad: $14,025
The next fiscal year begins July 1, but state law requires cities to have their budgets done by mid-March.