Presentation

City of Mesa — City Council Study Session (2026-04-02)

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Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
(PRCF)
April 2, 2026
Study Session
Andrea Alicoate, Interim PRCF Director
Fiscal Year 2026/27

PERFORMANCEPLUS
E N V I S I O N .  E L E V A T E .  I M P A C T .
The Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department exists to 
care for, operate, and activate vibrant public spaces and resources through 
fostering safe and welcoming environments, impactful events, and dynamic 
experiences, upholding Mesa's commitment to cultivating a 
thriving community.
OUTCOMES-Base of  KPIs
HOW WE ALIGN TO THE 
PRIORITIES
WHY WE EXIST
Public Purpose
P A R K S ,  R E C R E A T I O N  A N D  C O M M U N I T Y  F A C I L I T I E S

Accomplishments: 
• 2025 3-Star StarGuard Elite Award - Recognizes excellence 
and leadership in aquatic safety
• 2025 Jessica Curtis Water Advocacy Award from the 
Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona- Honoring impactful 
contributions to drowning prevention
• 2025 Arizona Parks & Recreation Association Outstanding 
Special Events Award- Merry Main Street (Population 100k+)
Other Department Highlights:
• Certified Autism Center Renewal- 80%+ of community-facing 
staff trained, strengthening accessibility and inclusion
• Community-Driven Capital Projects- New amenities in 
development, including BMX Bike Park and RC Car Track
• Mobile Recreation Expansion- Launch of M.O.R.E. (Mobile 
Outdoor Recreation Experience) to increase community access
• Continues to operate a large and complex system, including 
200+ parks and 2,000+ acres of parkland
Current Accomplishments & Highlights 
3
3

Fostering Outcomes: 
• Safe & Welcoming Environments
• Impactful Events
• Dynamic Experiences
Our Commitment:
• Maintain safe places and spaces for 
residents to gather.
• Maintain fiscal transparency and 
responsibility.
• Provide high quality programs for those 
who work, play, and spend time in Mesa.
Outcome Areas
4
4

PRCF Cost Recovery & Subsidy Plan
5
5
Comments
Examples
Cost 
Recovery 
Goal*
City
Funded
Description 
Service 
Level 
Core services that provide for a 
healthy and vibrant community, 
unrestricted and equal access, 
services mandated by law
Parks, Playgrounds, Trails, 
Open Space, Volunteer Service, 
Events, Accessibility
0%
100%
Base Level of Service, 
Open Public Access, 
Community-Wide Events
1
Drop-in Gym, Public Swim, Court 
or Ramada Rental
Recreation Centers, Aquatic 
Centers, Ramadas
20-30%
70-80%
Drop-in Access 
Level of Service 
2
Recreation programs that are 
market based / benefit-based 
pricing
Youth Sports, Adaptive & Pre-K, 
After-School & Camps, 
Swim Lessons 
30-50%
50-70%
Recreation 
Focused/ Educational 
(Beginner/Intermediate) 
3
Direct Costs Covered 100% 
(staff & supplies)
Adult Sports, Special Interest, 
Competitive Programs
50-100%
0-50%
Skill Focused 
Advanced/Competitive, 
Private Rentals 
4
Direct and Indirect Cost Covered 
(facility & equipment)
Trips & Excursions, Retail, 
Rentals, Commercial Operations
100+%
0%
Individual Benefit 
5
*Cost recovery calculations based on program staffing and supply costs and not maintenance and utilities for the facility

PRCF Attendance and Rentals
6
6
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
2022
2023
2024
2025
Attendance and Rentals by Calendar Year
(Excluding Pools)
Attendance
Rentals

Program Participants
7
7
2,531 
2,881 
3,369 3,497 
2,161 
2,668 
3,063 
3,501 
3,450 
3,666 
4,077 
4,432 
 -
 500
 1,000
 1,500
 2,000
 2,500
 3,000
 3,500
 4,000
 4,500
 5,000
2022
2023
2024
2025
2022
2023
2024
2025
2022
2023
2024
2025
Adaptive
Youth Programs
Tri-Centers
(Webster, Eagles, Jefferson)
Program Participants by Calendar Year

Citywide Direct Cost Recovery for PRCF Facilities 
8
8
*Percentages for FY25

Department Financial Summary
9
Figures in millions, 
rounded
9
FY 26/27         
Proposed 
Budget
FY 25/26         
Year End 
Estimate
FY 25/26        
Revised 
Budget
FY 24/25         
Year End 
Actuals
Core Service Level
Expenditures
$9.1 
$8.9 
$8.9 
$8.6 
Commercial
$15.3 
$17.0 
$16.6 
$14.5 
Recreation
$30.7 
$30.4
$30.9 
$30.9 
Resource Management
$55.1
$56.3 
$56.4
$54.0 
Expenditures Total
Revenues
$9.2
$8.5 
$9.2 
$8.3 
Commercial
$6.6
$6.1
$6.1 
$6.2 
Recreation
$2.1
$2.4
$2.4 
$1.9 
Resource Management
$17.9 
$17.0
$17.7 
$16.4
Revenues Total

Position Reductions
• 3 Vacant Full Time Positions- $301,056: 
• Recreation Specialist
• Recreation Programmer
• Trades Worker I
• Part Time Non-Benefited (PTNB) Hours- $374,760: 
• 7.24 FTE Equivalent 
• Closing Fremont Aquatic Complex- $180,218:
• 3.5 FTE Equivalent
• Neighboring Aquatic Complexes have the Capacity              
to Absorb the Swimmers and Programs  
Base Budget Reduction(s)
10
10
FY 26/27 Budget Reduction

Base Budget Reduction(s)
11
11
FY 26/27 Budget Reduction
Program Reductions
• Operations & Maintenance Budget- $50,203: 
• Adaptive Program Savings- ‘Off Broadway’ Moved to Mesa 
Public Schools(MPS)
• Reduce Excursions from Summer Camps
• Overhead at The Post & Mesa Tennis and Pickleball 
Center 
• Eliminate Spring Celebrate Mesa- $36,000: 
• Cost is Direct Savings- Additional Indirect Savings to 
Reallocate Staff Time and Dept. Resources 
• Commitment to Annual Fall Celebrate Mesa

FY 26/27 Budget Reduction Summary 
Fund
Reduction 
Amount
FTE
Reduction
General
-$301,056
-3
Remove Vacant Positions
General
-$180,218
-3.50
Close Fremont Pool 
General
-$374,760
-7.24
Part-time non-benefited staffing hours
General
-$50,203
0
Reduce Operations and Maintenance
General
-$36,000
0
Eliminate Spring Celebrate Mesa
-$942,237 
-13.74
Total
12
12

13