Fri Feb 10 2012
by Jeff Saunders
Reporter
Macedonia -- City Council is expected to hear a new plan that could cut a $200,000 general fund subsidy for the Macedonia Family Recreation Center without eliminating fitness programming and weekend hours as previously proposed.
Parks and Recreation Director Angela Gmerek had initially proposed cutting $200,000 from the budget through layoffs, cutting programming and closing the center on weekends.
But she said she revisited that plan because she feared such drastic cuts could end up killing the center through a snowball effect of lost revenue through canceled memberships and program receipts.
Her new plan still cuts the $200,000 subsidy, but includes the Rec Center taking $100,000 from a $1.25 million "reserve" that has been put aside in recent years to supplement payments on Rec Center debt and operating costs.
Finance Director Loren Sengstock said he wants Council to formally approve the use of the cash reserve because he is concerned that the funds may be needed to ensure debt payments on the Rec Center can be made after 2013 without tapping the general fund.
"I would not be in favor of this without Councilmatic action and approval," said Sengstock. "I don't want anyone coming back to me in 2013 and saying 'You said it was OK.'"
Gmerek's new proposal includes closing the Rec Center's swimming pool an hour before the Rec Center closes every day, and between 1 and 4 p.m. on weekdays when pool usage is low.
Other ideas include reducing front desk staff from two to one on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. when full-time administrators are on duty and can fill in if needed, outsourcing some services currently done in-house and shifting the Rec Center's printed brochure to an online digital version.
Gmerek's previous plan would have cut $200,000 by closing the facility on weekends and eliminating fitness programs by cutting contract instructors. Those cuts also would also have meant the loss of one full-time employee and five part-time fitness attendants.
Gmerek said she feared those cuts would lead to "well over $100,000" in lost membership and program fee revenue, and such losses would lead to further cuts in services, resulting in more lost revenue.
"It's a continuing vicious cycle," she said.
The proposed cuts are part of nearly $1.1 million in cuts, or about 10 percent of the city's $10.6-million general fund, that City Council is considering incorporating in the permanent budget appropriations.
Officials, however, stressed on March 11 that final decisions on the budget have not been made.
"We're ready if we have to pass the 10 percent, but nothing has been passed yet," said Mayor Don Kuchta.
"We're still discussing the budget. We still have decisions to make," said Councilor Shane Barker.
E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169
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