Warsaw Park and Recreation Board approved proposed budgets for 2008 during its meeting Tuesday.
Park Superintendent Jon Garber read four proposed budgets for the department, including a park non-reverting capital budget; a non-reverting operation fund budget; a cumulative capital development budget; and parks and recreation budget.
Garber said the proposed budgets will need to be approved by the Warsaw City Council.
The proposed budget for the non-reverting capital fund is $36,000. It is funded through park building rentals from the firemen's building and Nye Youth Cabin. The fund will cover proposed renovations to Center Lake Pavilion and the Micker Building.
The parks department is proposing to use funds to have new tile, window treatment, and repaint the walls in the main room, bathroom and kitchen at Center Lake Pavilion.
The Micker Building, 420 Little League Drive, was purchased by the city to hold the park department's activities, and is the former Fraternal Order of Police building in Boggs Industrial Park, adjacent to Mantis Skate Park.
The proposed budget would cover the department's request to renovate the Micker Building with new restrooms, doorways, a kitchen area and main meeting room, and make the building handicapped accessible.
The parks department's proposed non-reverting operation fund for 2008 is $15,000. It is funded through vendor fees from the department's activities. The fund includes advertising for events and entertainment expenses.
The cumulative capital improvement fund proposed budget is $74,000. It is funded through the cigarette sales tax.
Garber said the park department is considering improvements to Kelly Park tennis courts, installing new tennis court posts, and replacing tennis nets that are aging.
The proposed park and recreation budget for 2008 is $1,654,366. The budget is tax-supported. Garber said the proposed budget is a 4.37 percent increase over the current 2007 operating budget of $1,579,540.
The parks department is requesting to purchase a new case tractor and loader, replace aging equipment at Center Lake Kiddieland, and put rubber cushion mats under the playground's structure.
The park department also is considering applying for a Lakes and River Enhancement Grant for Center Lake shoreline stabilization. The project would require a 10 percent match, or up to $3,000 from the Warsaw Park and Recreation budget, if the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement grant is awarded.
