Budget cuts may prompt park closings

Residents used to frequenting several county parks could be met with "closed" signs if the county considers a recommendation to shut down operations due to budget cuts.

The five parks are: Hill n' Dale Community Park, Stewy's Skate Park, the athletic fields at Ernie Wever Park, Linda Pedersen Park (except for special events) and the Nobleton, Istachatta and Lake Townsen regional parks.

Director of Land Services Ron Pianta is also recommending the board consider a nominal fee for the Suncoast Parkway trailhead to be used to maintain a restroom there.

County commissioners will consider the proposed moves during upcoming workshops and meetings to discuss the fiscal year 2012 budget.

The board asked Pianta's department to reduce its general fund budget by $653,040.

The parks and recreation department, as have other divisions, has been under the gun to cut expenses as commissioners face a $5.65 million budget deficit.

In January, commissioners voted not to impose user fees on area youth leagues that use county parks, a move that was expected to bring in about $229,400 to the parks department.

Instead, they directed staff to cut $230,000 from the parks department budget.

The plan was to take $115,000 from interest earned on the reserve for the judicial center complex and another $115,000 from expenses in the parks budget.

The first big move was to cut some positions from the department, including parks director Pat Fagan, who had been with the county for 33 years.

In addition to Fagan, the parks department also recommended the elimination of three maintenance worker positions (two of which are already vacant and another employee who is retiring); a vacant maintenance technician slot and a parks and recreation operations assistant.

County Commissioner Dave Russell said it would be unfortunate if the board is forced to close parks. But the top priority during these tough budget times is the health and welfare of citizens.

"We are under budgetary restraints that require us to make some tough decisions," he said.

One possibility to keep parks open is to explore partnerships with the private sector, including sports leagues, to step up and assume more of the maintenance duties which could keep the facilities open, he said.

In related news:

Commissioners will consider cuts to the library services division, including the elimination of three full-time positions.

The cuts could lead to increased delays to customer service, a reduction in the delivery of books and materials to branches, limited access to public computers at branches and a reduction in reference services.