Commissioners’ Corner: Nov. 3, 2026 meeting summary

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Special Meeting: Public Hearing on proposed 2027 Operating and Capital budgets

Executive Director Ally Bujacich and Director of Finance Jessica Wigle presented the proposed 2027 Operating and Capital budgets to the Board of Park Commissioners.

The budgets were developed using a conservative outlook with judicious spending and intentional growth within the operating reserves to ensure long-term financial stability within the organization.

Proposed 2027 Operating budget highlights include:

  • Total proposed General Fund budget is $10.9 million.
  • The property tax levy comprises 84% of the general fund.
  • Nearly 92% of operating expenses are appropriated to direct service provision, meaning the expenses are tied to maintaining parks so they are clean and safe and providing recreational programs for all ages and abilities.
  • The Operating budget is allocated almost evenly between Recreation and Park services. Proposed allocations for 2027 include:
    • 47% to fund Recreation Services
    • 44% to fund Park Services
    • 8% other
  • Recreation program participation hours are anticipated to increase by 10% in 2027 to over 220,000 participant hours of high-quality programming and community events. This is driven by growth in programs like Specialized and Adaptive Recreation which is a Board priority to increase access to all, and programs for youth, adults and seniors.
  • Recreation programs will cost about $4.6 million in 2027 and are paid for through user fees and taxpayer dollars. In 2027, PenMet Parks expects to collect approximately $1.6 million in user fees, with the balance of nearly $3 million subsidized by District taxpayers.
  • Funds are allocated to the District’s operating reserves to reach $7.4 million. Operating reserves provide for continuity of service in the event of an economic downturn or other unforeseen conditions.

Proposed 2027 Capital budget highlights include:

  • Total proposed budget is $3.9 million.
  • Reserves are allocated for planned major maintenance, property acquisition, equipment purchases and funding for specific projects, as outlined in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
  • Over time, the CIP prioritizes funds required to maintain the District’s current assets in good condition.
  • $2 million is allocated to support design, frontage improvements, parking, grading, landscaping, playground installation, sport courts and picnic shelters for Phase 1 of the development of an accessible community park at the site that formerly housed Peninsula Gardens.
  • There is a plan to replace the infield turf on Baseball Field 1 at Sehmel Homestead Park.

Following the presentation the floor was opened for public comment. There were no comments from the public.

A second public hearing is planned for the Nov. 17, 2026 Regular Meeting. The Board of Park Commissioners is expected to act on the proposed budgets at that meeting following public comment.

Regular meeting

President’s Report. President Billy Sehmel shared he and his family attended the PenMet Parks Monster Mash Bash on Oct. 30 at the Recreation Center. He complimented staff on a well-run event that hosted a safe, indoor Halloween experience for families and children of all ages.

Executive Director’s Report. Director Ally Bujacich provided the following highlights to the Board:

  • 1,200 people attended Monster Mash Bash on Oct. 30. The event exceeded expectations and offered an opportunity for the community to come together. This included the many volunteers – including students from Peninsula and Gig Harbor high schools – community booths by local businesses and nonprofits and PenMet Parks sponsors.
  • Registration for youth basketball opened Oct. 28 for In-District residents. As of Nov. 3 there were 706 In-District youth registered for teams. Registration opened to all Nov. 4. There is capacity for up to 1,000 youth players this season based on facility availability, volunteer coaches, referees and staff. This is an increase from the 2026 season.

Special presentations. Director of Finance Jessica Wigle shared the financial reports from August and September.

Highlights from the presentation include:

  • Interest rates rose from 3.73% in August to 3.82% in September. Interest income is on track to meet $500,000 for the year.
  • Revenue is trending behind budget through September at 57% earned, however revenue is anticipated to catch up in October with property tax revenue.
  • Expenditures are trending on budget at 77% expended.
  • Top earned revenue to the Recreation Enterprise Fund through September includes:
    • Camps (121%).
    • Events (106%).
    • Neighborhood Greens Mini Golf rounds (87%).
  • Facility Enterprise Fund revenue from field and court rental use includes:
    • $105,000 for athletic fields (up from $79,000 for the same period last year)
    • $17,000 for athletic courts (up from $8,00 for the same period last year)
  • Facility Enterprise Fund revenue from facility rental use includes:
    • $118,000 PenMet Parks Recreation Center.
    • $38,000 Volunteer Vern Pavilion (up from $16,000 for the same period last year)
    • $12,000 Arletta Schoolhouse (up from $8,000 for the same period last year)
  • The Facility Enterprise Fund is trending slightly over budget at 79% expended through September.
  • Capital fund expenditures total $1.2 million through September, or 12% of the approved 2026 Capital budget. They include:
    • $414,000 for the Recreation Center.
    • $265,000 for HVAC upgrades to the District Headquarters building.
    • $92,000 for planned major maintenance at various park properties.

Committee reports.

  • Parks Services Committee met on Oct. 23. Staff shared a project update on Narrows Park accessibility park improvements. Staff shared an update on the Butterfield Forrest Park. The next meeting is in December.
  • Recreation Services Committee met on Oct. 22. Staff highlighted youth basketball registration preparations were underway. The PenMet Paks Recreation Center Jarzynka Memorial Fieldhouse is again the home field for the semi-pro indoor soccer team South Sound FC. The first game is Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Double headers begin Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. when Herons FC, a semi-pro women’s team, begins playing. The men’s and women’s teams will alternate start times between 5 and 7:30 p.m. for their home game schedules. The committee received an update on adaptive programming and expressed support for continued adaptive open gym and basketball coaching opportunities.
  • External committees: Commissioner Steven Nixon shared the PenMet Parks Foundation board met Oct. 23. Part of the meeting included review of potential donor opportunities and four logo concepts. The next meeting is in December.

Unfinished business.

  • RR2026-004 Adopting the Amended Policy P40-102: Purchasing Policy. The purchasing policy outlines standards that promote proper stewardship of public funds and provides for open, transparent and fair public contracting processes. Ultimately, it identifies and outlines the methods the District uses to purchase goods, services and secure public works projects. The board unanimously approved adoption of this resolution.

Purchasing resolutions.

  • R2026-012 Adopting the 2026 regular property tax levy for collection in 2027. The resolution establishes the 2026 levy of regular property tax that will be collected from District taxpayers in 2027. The tax rate is 0.54 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The expected collection of property tax by the District is $8,961,780. If there is a material change, staff will evaluate the impact to the proposed 2027 budget and make a recommendation to the Board. The Board unanimously adopted the resolution, authorizing the property tax collection for 2027.
  • RR2026-006 Adopting the 2027 Annual Operating Budget. The Board held its first reading of a resolution proposing adoption of the proposed 2027 Operating budget. The proposed budget was presented at a special meeting before the regular meeting, and a public hearing was held. A second public hearing is planned for Nov. 17, 2026 before the Board acts on the proposed budget.
  • RR2026-007 Adopting the 2027 Annual Capital Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. The Board held its first reading of a resolution proposing adoption of the proposed 2027 Capital budget and Capital Improvement Plan. The proposed budget and CIP were presented at a special meeting before the regular meeting, and a public hearing was held. A second public hearing is planned for Nov. 17, 2026 before the Board acts on the proposed budget and plan.

What’s on deck. The Board of Park Commissioners meets Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. for a study session. A regular meeting follows at 6 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and held at the PenMet Parks District Headquarters, 2416 14th Ave NW, Gig Harbor.