$2.1M proposed for parks, rec

The Fort Dodge city government would spend about $2.1 million in the next fiscal year on ball diamonds, the aquatic center and other parks and recreation programs under a proposed budget unveiled Monday.

Two additional workers would be added: a clubhouse manager at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course and a turf worker who split their time between the golf course and Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex.

Lori Branderhorst, the director of parks, recreation and forestry, told the council that the proposed new clubhouse manager position would be "fully funded with the revenue we expect to collect."

The proposed budget for parks and recreation was presented to the City Council Monday. The council took no action on the proposal.

The proposed budget for parks and recreation in 2023-2024 is $2,120,567.

The current budget is $1,840,395.

Lakeside Municipal Golf Course, located north of the city at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, accounts for the biggest chunk of the budget.

The proposed golf course budget is $687,612. Revenue of $703,606 is projected.

The golf course runs on revenue it generates. It does not get tax money.

The current golf course budget is $518,740.

Branderhorst budget $54,000 for the new clubhouse manager position.

Mayor Matt Bemrich asked what the manager would be doing during the off-season.

Branderhorst said the course is open essentially from March 1 to Nov. 11. She said the manager would be spending February preparing for the upcoming season and spend December essentially cleaning up and restocking. Whatever time is left would be spent scheduling golf tournaments and related work.

She said other managers in the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department have been stepping in to run the clubhouse. She said they need to be freed from that work to do their own jobs.

Other major spending categories in parks and recreation include:

• $466,447 for Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex

• $365,232 for Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center

• $246,420 for parks maintenance

• $238,178 for recreation programs including Citizens Central

• $214,862 for Foster Grandparents

• $49,720 for Oakland Cemetery

• $38,458 for Memorial Park Cemetery

• $28,500 for streetscape work