Shown are Jenell Lehman, left, board member, and Program Manager Darin Lursen talking after the Syracuse park board meeting Monday, Dec. 9. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board met Monday, Dec. 9, for the last time in 2024 for a brief meeting to wrap up some end-of-the-year business.

The board adopted the 2025 non-reverting operation budget. The budget is $39,500, the same as 2024. Of that, $13,500 is for concessions, $11,000 is for supplies, $14,000 is for other services and $1,000 is for capital improvements.

The NRO is basically a petty cash fund, said Superintendent Chad Jonsson, and “we could do some other things with it (the funds).”

Jonsson gave the financial report for Nov. 12 to Dec. 9 and for November. “We have some money left in some places,” he said.

Jonsson gave the tree board report. He said all scheduled fall tree removals have been completed including trees at Hoy’s Beach and Lakeside Park.

He is working on the Tree City USA application. It is due Dec. 31.

In project updates, he said Automated External Defibrillator equipment was purchased with a grant from the Harkless Foundation. An AED will be located at each park in the pavilions and one at the ball park.

“They are available all year round and we check them monthly,” he said.

On Henry Street near Veterans Memorial Park, Jonsson said he would like to improve the parking lot and the street department will be doing the work.

“I’m looking at funds with money left over,” he said, adding the work will probably be done next year.

The board agreed to use The Property Company for one more year for fertilizer. Other quotes may be sought after one year.

Jonsson said he is working on park rental fees for 2025 and will have a report possibly at the January meeting.

Darin Lursen, program manager, gave the program report.

The board made a motion to pay for the two referees for the basketball league. The league is full with eight teams. Games start Jan. 5. Referees are paid $30 a game.

The recent Breakfast with Santa had just under 300 people this year as opposed to usually 400 last year, Lursen said.

A crushed glass art class had about six people last week.

The next indoor garage sale is March 1. Registration opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, and there are 30 spaces available. The cost is $15.

The next princess party is Feb. 22 and will be a “Moana” movie theme.

The Wawasee Kiwanis Club soup supper fundraiser is from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 31, at Syracuse Community Center.

In other news, the board:

• Made a 2025 board member recommendation that Kristin Abbs and Brent Berkeypile be reappointed, as their terms expire Dec. 31. The recommendation will go before the Syracuse Town Council for approval.

• Set the 2025 meeting dates as 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month.

• Approved paying Wallace Plumbing and Heating $980 for work to be done; the check will come from the Syracuse clerk-treasurer.

The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13.