The Portage Park and Recreation Department is running out of money. Last year, the city council put more than a million dollars in the park department's 2022 operating budget, only for the state to cut it down to $609,000. Park Board President Paul Ciesielski told council members Tuesday that's less than what it was in 1995 and not enough to run the city's current park system.
"Based on rough estimates at this time, it appears that we will no longer be able to make payroll past July of this year. Without these funds, even if we deplete our non-reverting fund to supplement all of our general budget needs, it is unlikely we will make it through the end of 2022," Ciesielski explained.
He said using park revenues for general maintenance also takes away money that should be going back into programs — and there's less revenue to work with, due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic. Going forward, he wants the city council to put the $400,000 back in the park budget.
Adding to the challenges, the city's park superintendent stepped down last week. Mayor Sue Lynch felt it would be hard to attract a replacement, if the city isn't sure it has the money to pay them.
"That's just totally unacceptable, as we've been going through these numbers, and it's quite shocking. We lost a good person because of that, and we need to get this straightened out," Lynch told the council.
In the meantime, the mayor has nominated Ciesielski to serve as interim park superintendent, which has to be approved by the rest of the park board.