Note: This year IFF rated maintenance bills according to a more refined system. This is an enhancement bill, and will be rated as a standalone bill. IFF will only consider enhancement line items in these ratings. This means that FTP reductions passed in maintenance legislation will not be evaluated here, among other things.
Bill Description: Senate Bill 1417 is an enhancement of $18,129,900 and 2.95 new full-time positions for the Department of Parks and Recreation for fiscal year 2027. This legislation appropriates a total of $68,618,200 and 198.75 full-time positions to the agency.
Rating: -4
Is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending, if any, inappropriate for the changes in circumstances, scope of the agency, or current economic environment? Conversely, is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending appropriate given any change in circumstances or economic pressures?
This legislation authorizes an ongoing spending enhancement for the Department of Parks and Recreation of $487,900, adding onto last year’s (FY26) increase in ongoing spending of $1,135,200. FY26’s ongoing spending is wrapped into FY27’s base increase, making ongoing spending especially important to scrutinize. Volatility in these increases (or decreases) is to be expected, and makes discernment on the propriety of new spending imperative.
This ongoing expenditure consists of three enhancements. The first are funds for Full-time Administrative Support ($48,900 DF), the Second for Additional Park Personnel ($359,000 DF), and the third is for Trail Maintenance Staff ($80,000 DF). These expenditures, which include the hiring of new employees, are unwarranted. In deficit years hiring should be curtailed.
(-1)
Does this budget incur any wasteful spending among discretionary funds, including new line items? Conversely, does this budget contain any provisions that serve to reduce spending where possible (i.e. base reductions, debt reconciliation, etc.)?
This legislation authorizes onetime spending for the Department of Parks and Recreation of $17,642,000, adding additional expenditures after last year’s (FY26) onetime spending of $7,000,500. Onetime spending is often even more volatile than ongoing spending, which is to be expected due to the onetime expenses generally being utilized for projects or capital outlay. This also calls for special scrutiny and discernment.
There are numerous onetime enhancements, significantly outpacing the prior year. There are three federally supported enhancements including Land and Water Community Grants passed on to cities ($1,877,500 FF), Lake Cascade Staff Housing ($1,113,500 FF), interpretive displays at Billingsley Creek Campground ($750,000 FF). The grant for “interpretive displays” is particularly egregious.
Further dedicated enhancements include Trail Equipment ($100,000 DF), construction of a roundabout at Farragut State Park ($1,500,000 DF), additional RV campgrounds statewide ($9,500,000 DF).
There are finally Replacement Items ($2,581,000 D/FF) and OITS Hardware ($100,000 DF).
(-1)
Does this budget perpetuate or expand state dependence on federal dollars, thereby violating principles of federalism? Conversely, does this budget actively reduce the amount of federal dollars used to balance this budget?
This legislation appropriates $4,216,000 in federal enhancements to the agency for replacement items and the above mentioned grants. This represents a commitment to continued reliance on borrowed federal dollars, deepening the dependence on the federal government and violating the principles of federalism.
(-1)
Does the budget grow government through the addition of new, objectionable, permanent FTPs or through funding unlegislated efforts to create new or expanded existing programs? Conversely, does this budget reduce the size of government staff and programs except where compelled by new legislation?
This legislation adds 2.95 new FTP to the Department. In a deficit year, hiring should be curtailed.
(-1)
