Olympia Metropolitan Park District proposes $5.91M budget for 2026

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board reviewed a proposed $5.91 million budget for 2026 that focuses on maintaining and improving parks and recreational infrastructure.

Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Sylvana Niehuser presented the proposed budget and outlined the allocations at a board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Niehuser said the budget allocates about $4 million to the department’s operating fund, with the remainder supporting capital projects.

The funding supports several programs, including the Park Stewardship and Ranger Program with an allocation of $974,000. It also covers portions of park maintenance, which is estimated at $2,451,777.

Other allocations include arts and events at $87,170, and planning and design at $216,239. Olympia Armory creative campus operations are projected at $313,791.

In 2026, Niehuser said, the city is going to make its first bond payment for the Armory and Yelm Highway Community Park projects. The interest-only payment represents 8% of the OMPD budget, or about $450,000. Larger payments, which include principal and interest, follow in the coming years.

Niehuser said the city has combined its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Capital Asset Management programs into a single fund, allocating $750,000 annually to address accessibility and infrastructure improvements. She said about 50% of an ADA transition plan has been completed.

The budget also sets aside $160,000 for Percival Landing maintenance and $500,000 for the future Lilly Road Neighborhood Park.

Niehuser noted the proposed budget slightly exceeds projected revenue of $5.7 million in 2026. Funding comes from a property tax levy.

The board opened a public hearing on the proposed budget, but no community members participated in the public process.

The board voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare a budget resolution approving the 2026 budget in the amount of $5.9 million for final consideration on Nov. 10.