CPRD Board to Review $24.57 Million Proposed Budget for 2025-26

NEWBERG, Ore. — The Chehalem Parks and Recreation District board of directors will review a proposed $24,567,484 budget for the upcoming fiscal year during a budget committee meeting on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m.

“The expanded services are primarily in recognition of continued growth within the Aquatic and Fitness Center, completion of the Cultural Center’s second-floor renovations, increased trail stewardship at Bob and Crystal Rilee Park, trail expansion associated with the Newberg-Dundee Bypass Trail, and tennis and pickleball court expansions at Jaquith Park,” CPRD Budget Officer Casey Creighton wrote in an email to budget committee members.

The committee includes the current CPRD board of directors—Matt Smith, Jason Fields, Gayle Bizeau, Jim McMaster, and Lisa Rodgers—along with appointees Elizabeth Comfort, Brandon Slyter, Elijah Dickson, Brian Keyser, and Mike McBride.

The 2025-26 proposal represents a 16.9% increase over the current $21.08 million budget, with staff citing inflation and higher beginning fund balances across several accounts, alongside grant expenditures coming to fruition in fiscal year 2025-26.

If approved, the plan would maintain current staffing levels, fund capital improvements, and provide a cost-of-living raise for district employees. It also aligns with CPRD’s strategic goals, including the development of a 27-hole golf course and clubhouse, the Chehalem Cultural Center, a community center in Dundee, an expanded trail system, and enhancements to the aquatic and fitness center.

Key capital projects included in the proposal are the Jaquith Park pickleball courts, Phase 1 of Sander Estate Park, the Renne Field renovation, and Phase 1 of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass Trail.

Budget Breakdown

The budget is divided into two main categories: basic services and special services.

Basic Services

These services, such as playgrounds, trails, tennis courts, and activity fields, are available to anyone in the district without a fee. The proposed budget allocates $5.04 million to basic services, a 0.22% decrease from the previous year. 

The decrease is due to transferring the IT technician role to the administration budget while adding a parks technician and increasing funds for repair and replacement.

Special Services

Special services—such as the aquatic center, Chehalem Glenn Golf Course, adult and youth sports, classes, and community schools—are fee-based and designed to be self-sustaining. The proposed special services budget is $4.89 million, a 0.73% increase from the prior year.

Not included in the budget is Bonnie Benedict Preschool, which is in discussion for closure due to years of low enrollment and cost recovery deficits. One full-time employee has been reassigned to the Playgrounds and Centers budget line.

“This program is proposed for closure [after] multiple years of record-low enrollment and a cost recovery deficit,” Creighton wrote. “The intent behind the closure is to pursue outside funding, likely via grant programs, to conduct major renovations to the facility in which this program has occurred for more than 50 years.”

Revenue

The district’s revenue comes from property taxes, system development charges, carryover balances, interest income, and program revenues from services such as the aquatic center, golf course, and youth sports.

For the coming fiscal year, CPRD projects $4 million in property tax revenue, a $5.7 million beginning balance, $1.64 million from the aquatic center, $1.97 million from the golf course, $825,000 added to the System Development Charges fund, and $2.08 million from the debt service fund, among other sources.

Public input is welcome at the April 8 budget committee meeting, held at the CPRD Administration Building at 6 p.m. Additional meetings may be scheduled April 9 through 11 if needed. A revised budget summary will be published April 25 if changes are made, followed by a public hearing on May 22 at 6 p.m. The board is expected to adopt the final budget on June 26.

The full budget and supporting materials are available on the district’s website.

Update 4/8/25 at 10:15 a.m.: added grant payout as reason for budget increase as stated in budget document, adjusted SDC collection based on revenue versus fund amount.