Tacoma residents can weigh in on how Parks Tacoma spends its operating dollars at a virtual workshop Wednesday, Sept. 2, as the district builds its first annual budget since a $17 million deficit forced 91 layoffs and a 21% cut in expenses.

The workshop runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Participants will rank eight program areas and discuss tradeoffs. The district framed the exercise bluntly in its Aug. 27 announcement: nothing can be added to the budget without something else being reduced.

The eight areas up for prioritization are maintenance and operations, youth programs and sports, community centers, regional attractions and events, capital planning and asset management, community and recreation programs, aquatics facilities and programs, and safety and security.

What caused the crisis

Faulty revenue projections in the 2025–2026 operating budget created the $17 million shortfall, according to Parks Tacoma. Two rounds of cuts followed, eliminating 91 full-time positions and reducing projected revenue by 15%.

The damage spread fast.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported in late June that budget-driven changes hit the Center at Norpoint, STAR Center, People's Center and Eastside Center starting July 1.

Executive Director Shon Sylvia received a nearly $500,000 payout to resign amid the crisis, according to News Tribune reporting in May. The News Tribune's Isha Trivedi reported that his departure raised questions about whether the Board of Park Commissioners maintained enough oversight during his nearly 10-year tenure.

New financial guardrails

In response, the board contracted an independent auditor, centralized administrative functions and established a Finance Committee to monitor debt, reserves and future budgets. Parks Tacoma also shifted from a two-year budget cycle to annual budgeting, so projections no longer stretch over two fiscal years unchecked.

What's separate from the operating budget

The operating budget accounts for about 41% of the district's total spending. Enterprise operations, including Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Point Defiance Marina, Meadow Park Golf Course and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, run on self-supporting budgets.

The $155 million bond package voters approved in late April with 77% support will fund more than 100 capital projects at roughly 40 locations. State law restricts that money to capital use; it cannot cover operating expenses.

What happens next

The Board of Park Commissioners is scheduled to hold a first reading of the proposed 2027 budget at its Oct. 26 meeting. A second reading and adoption are planned for Nov. 9.

Residents who want to participate in the Sept. 2 workshop can find registration details on the Parks Tacoma event page.