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Hernando Today

Sports Leagues Oppose $20 Fee

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: August 31, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Representatives from 20 local athletic leagues had until 5 p.m. Friday to return a questionnaire asking them if they would pay a $20-per-player annual user fee to help fund the parks department during tough budget times.

Hernando Today has obtained copies of 12 of the questionnaires and the majority overwhelmingly opposes paying the fee, which would have brought in about $130,000 to help for field maintenance. Without it, the county will be forced to let go four full-time parks department employees.

In fact, Fagan has already given those employees a letter advising them their jobs are safe until December and allowing them to seek new employment.

"We're trying to find jobs for them within the county," he said.

But given the current budgetary downturn, that possibility may be slim.

Meanwhile, sports league representatives indicated in the questionnaire they would be willing to volunteer to help pick up trash, clean up the parks, maintain the restrooms, bleachers and fields.

That should help, said Fagan, who indicated there would be a formal agreement each league would sign.

But not everyone was on-board with the volunteer notion.

"It's impossible to get volunteers," said a Spring Hill Dixie Baseball representative.

The Spring Hill Dixie Girls Softball league said it could not commit to raking the fields by hand.

What if the league fails to live up to the volunteer agreement?

"Then we will readdress the issue," Fagan said.

Fagan did not rule out the possibility of seeking a private firm to take care of some of the maintenance.

Last year, parks department staffers spent 6,000 labor hours to maintain the county's 54 fields.

Several league members also indicated they would be willing to work with the county to bring in large tournaments that would produce revenue.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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