Parks & Recreation director Don Lewis wants a new position in his department and more attention to landscaping.

But that may not happen.

“As this department evolves, this is a position that is needed,” Lewis said. “Beautification of our parks is important to me.”

Lewis presented his budget request before the City Council on Friday. It is one of many the city considers as it forms its 2007 budget, which must be adopted by Sept. 15.

The council took no action on Lewis’ request for a landscaping supervisor, but Mayor Ed Neelly suggested it be nixed. The department already spends more than $25,000 annually for contractual services, he said, so “when you talk about an additional person, you’re looking at $70,000 at least, plus a $30,000 (landscaping) equipment purchase.”

“It would be nice if we had plenty of money,” he said. “But there are some things you can’t not increase, like the police department. … When you add a person, you add them forever, with benefits and insurance.”

Park & Rec has a $2.5 million budget, “a significant commitment by the city,” Neelly said.

Lewis’ budget also included a $5,000 increase for gas and oil; a $3,600 increase for athletic supplies; and a $10,000 increase on landscape maintenance.

He said the city should consider improvements to the Rockwell Center, the most rented city building, on Joyner Avenue. He said the rental fee is $80, but over the years, that money was not used to maintain the center.

“It is a disgrace to the city,” he said. “If I had my way, I would shut it down.”

“The rental fee is meant to keep the building in good shape,” said Council President Dick Hill. “If it’s not doing that, the fee is not high enough.”