Gainesville Parks and Recreation presented its FY 2024 budget plan Thursday morning at the Gainesville City Council work session meeting.
According to Parks and Recreation Director Kate Mattison, the overall projected revenue for the next fiscal year is about $9.8 million. The total projected expenditures are also expected to be about $9.8 million.
“We think we're going to surpass and exceed pre-COVID numbers in this year's revenue budget,” Mattison said. “Because things have been going so well. Baseball numbers were up, football numbers were up, rentals are up. The camp has already seen its largest year-over-year registration that we've ever had.”
If the budget is approved, the park department projects planned for FY2024 are as follows:
- Midland Greenway improvements
- Frances Meadows Aquatic Center equipment and stairs
- Frances Meadows PoolPaks replacements
- Rock Creek Greenway lighting
- Gainesville Civic Center improvements
- Court lighting
- Martha Hope Cabin Parking & Landscaping
- Wessell Park parking
- Vehicles
Many of these projects are multi-year projects, Mattison said during the presentation.
City Councilwoman Juli Clay was impressed by the work of the staff of Parks and Recreation.
“One of the things I've been most impressed with about your staff and the board is the strong commitment to access to the parks, whether that's physical access, being able to get to the parks, or financial access to programs and use sports and things like that,” Clay said.
Clay is also excited about the Midland developments. Stating the development is a great addition to the Greenway and Downtown Gainesville.
The Gainesville City Council will vote on the budget at their meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Courtroom on 701 Queen City Parkway.
