The East Lansing Hannah Community Center. Many of the city's recreational programs are hosted at the center and will likely see fee increases next year due to a funding cut to the parks department. (File photo)

Parks Commissioners Frustrated by Surprise Budget Cut

With the fiscal year 2027 budget season nearing its conclusion, the East Lansing Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission was thrown a last-minute curveball. 

In late April, City Manager Robert Belleman proposed cutting nearly $400,000 from the parks department, a decision made after the commission had recommended a budget. 

At the May 20 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting, commissioners expressed frustration with the change, saying it was the second consecutive year Belleman blindsided the commission and staff with a major change to parks funding late in the budget season. Last year, Belleman proposed funding the department through a property tax increase, an idea that didn’t pan out after voters soundly rejected a new millage at the November 2025 election.  

“Last year it was the millage, this year it’s this cut,” Parks Commission Chair Reckhow said. “I don’t understand why it can’t be mentioned in January or February to suggest to the department [to] look at X, Y, Z … I think that it’s a problem with the way he is proceeding with his management of the city.”

Commissioner Chris Hodges echoed Reckhow’s sentiment. 

“If we’re going to be given a direction, it should be given while there’s still time to work on it [the budget],” Hodges said. 

To cover the cut, the parks department has largely proposed increasing fees for programs. A memo prepared by Belleman singled out indirect costs associated with the city’s before and after school childcare program and the Aquatic Center as being a weight on the department’s budget. 

Parks, Recreation and Arts Director Justin Drwencke noted at the May 20 commission meeting that the fee increases, and other smaller adjustments, were spread out across the parks department’s programs and facilities to keep any single fee from seeing too big of a jump. 

Both Reckhow and Hodges praised Drwencke, Administrative Services Coordinator Jane Stone and Chief Financial Officer Audrey Kincade for restructuring the budget in less than a week. 

“Multiple changes were made in pretty much every single division in the department,” Drwencke said. 

Commissioner Adam DeLay said he feels disappointed about the last-minute request, calling it offensive to both the department and commission. 

“We rely on less general fund dollars — percentage wise — than the average state and national parks and recreation department,” DeLay said. “Well, now it’s even more so and it feels like being singled out.”

The City Council is set to adopt the budget for the next fiscal year at its meeting Tuesday night. Drwencke said he is confident in the budget being put forward, but more changes could be in store going forward.

“I feel confident in the budget that we are putting forward for FY 2027,” Drwencke said. “I also believe that when we start to look ahead towards FY 2028, there will be a need to request additional support or decrease our expenditures.”