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SALEM -- The parks department will be re-examining its finances.
During a special meeting Wednesday, the parks commissioners voted unanimously to "develop a plan to increase revenue and reduce expenditures" wherever possible while the department continues efforts to finalize its proposed 2027 budget for inclusion in the overall city budget.
The decision followed an approximately 35-minute executive session for the discussion of personnel matters, and comes amid an uncertain financial future for the parks department. Voters are set to decide whether to renew the departments 1.3 mills recreational levy and efforts are ongoing to reduce or abolish the collection of property taxes statewide.
Commission President John Panezott said the department would need to continue reviewing the department finances including its personnel and labor expenses, but no date was set Wednesday.
Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey suggested the commissioners meet again in a work session at city hall to ensure they could access any financial documents they might need through the city auditor's office and could get any clarifications needed from City Auditor Sal Salvino. She also suggested that the commissioners consider scheduling a fundraiser during winter and potentially seeking a local business or community organization to sponsor it as a way to help overcome any potential budgetary crunch.
The commissioners scheduled the special meeting at the conclusion of their last meeting on Sept. 23, citing a need to review the department's overall finances before reviewing possible salary adjustments for its non-bargaining employees. No action was taken Wednesday with regard to employee salaries.
The recreational levy was last renewed by voters in 2022 and has a period of five years. If renewed by voters in November that term would begin with tax year 2027 to be collected in 2028. The levy is estimated to generate $166,794 for the department annually. As a renewal of an existing tax would not cost residents any more than they're already paying.
The recreational levy is one of two levies which wholly fund the parks department, as it does not receive direct funding from the city's general fund as a semi-autonomous entity. The other levy is a 1 mill operational levy last renewed by voters in May 2025, which generates approximately $224,000 for the department annually.
The parks commission will meet next at 8 a.m. on Oct. 26.