Folsom zoo outperforms budget projections amid city’s ongoing funding debate

Two months after the Folsom City Council questioned the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary’s financial sustainability, city officials said Tuesday the attraction generated more revenue and recovered a larger share of its operating costs than projected in the city’s budget.

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Zoo Director Jocelyn Smeltzer told the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission the zoo exceeded revenue projections by more than $330,000 during the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The boost came in part from two of the sanctuary’s newest residents, Eurasian brown bear Matilda and black bear Herbie, Smeltzer said.

Attendance increased by about 4,000 visitors, partly because people returned to see Matilda and Herbie, who arrived last spring. More than 115,000 people have passed through the zoo’s gates during the past fiscal year.

“We’ve always had bears, but we’ve never had a Eurasian brown bear,” she said, referring to Matilda. “These two are just so active and so playful.”

In June, council members questioned the zoo’s reliance on general fund support as the city faces an estimated $165 million backlog in deferred maintenance over the next decade.

Folsom’s general fund provided roughly 62% of the zoo’s $2.7 million budget last fiscal year, according to a City Council presentation.

Councilmember Anna Rohrbough and Mayor Justin Raithel said in June they wanted the zoo to rely less on the general fund as the city prepares for future budget pressures.

City Manager Bryan Whitemyer said the city faces an estimated $165 million backlog of deferred maintenance over the next decade, increasing pressure on departments to reduce costs and generate additional revenue.

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The Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees the zoo, reduced its proposed budget by $55,494 in June.

Smeltzer told the commission Tuesday the zoo has already made progress.

“The community has been very vocal lately with a lot of ideas about things the zoo sanctuary could be doing,” said Smeltzer. “And we’re really proud to say that a lot of those things we already are doing.”

The city projected that the zoo would recover 37% of its operating costs through self-generated funds. Instead, Smeltzer said, last year’s cost recovery is expected to be roughly 50%.

Expenses are down by over $100,000, she added, although some final expenditures are still being entered.

The zoo increased admission to $10 from $7 last year, helping boost revenue. Additional income came from merchandise sales, camps and special events, according to Smeltzer’s presentation.

And a newly expanded gift shop is expected to boost revenue. During its soft opening weekend July 23, the shop generated more than $4,300 in sales — about double the previous weekend.

In September, consultants hired by the nonprofit Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary, will present an economic development plan to the City Council. Parks officials will also prepare a financial sustainability policy.

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This story was originally published August 5, 2026 at 4:10 PM.