By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The city of Helena will begin its new budget year on Oct. 1, and one of the changes made this year comes in the Helena Parks and Recreation Department.

The budget was approved on Sept. 21 at the Helena City Council meeting and the approval of the budget also came with eliminating one of the Parks and Recreation director positions.

The number of directors for the Helena Parks and Recreation Department was reduced from two to one and Bill Miller will now handle both operations and facilities management for the department.

“We can reallocate the funds saved to better provide much-needed services in other areas of parks and rec,” Helena Mayor Mark Hall said. “The decision will ultimately better serve the needs and services offered by the parks and recreation department.”

The budget proposed for the 2015-2016 year for the Helena Parks and Recreation Department was $486,356.

Payroll for the Parks and Recreation Department was the largest budgeted item at $240,951.

Some of the items the Parks and Recreation Department have budgeted when funds become available include a new infield machine, a back pack blower, an add-on for a storage building, new tables and chairs for the community center and the removal grass from the infield on one of the baseball fields.