As Avon Park struggles with budget cuts, some favor cutting the recreation department

One group of kids played kickball outside. Another group waited its turn to play tennis.

Avon Park's Recreation Center appeared busy Monday morning as more than 50 kids started a new week at the rec. center's summer program.

Next year, the city of Avon Park may not offer the program or even have a recreation department.

With property values down and state funding declining, the city needs to cut $300,000 from its budget for next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.

After a show of support for the city's police and fire departments, the budget ax has been aimed at the recreation department.

"I think our recreation department has improved in what they have done in the last year, but I'm not sure if we can afford it anymore," Councilman Joe Wright said at the June 22 city council meeting.

After hearing the town's support for the police and fire departments, Wright said Monday he believes the city will end its recreation program during this economic crisis.

"The bottom line is local government cannot continue to do all the things we have been doing," he said.

Wright said the city should talk with the Boys & Girls Club about moving into the Recreation Center.

"At least with the Boys & Girls Club, more disadvantaged and more needy kids will have a place to go," he said.

In his list of recommended cuts, Councilman George Hall suggested getting out of recreation.

"Look into a summer rec program run by a local faith-based organization or local college apprentice program. Maybe turn buildings over to Boys & Girls Club," he added.

Deputy Mayor Brenda Gray disagrees.

"I don't think we should cut recreation," she said Monday. "Our kids need to go somewhere; they need to do something."

The city needs to make cuts, but recreation, parks, police or fire departments should be spared, she added.

After speaking with "quite a few" city employees, Gray said they know it's crunch time, and they would be willing to accept a 2-percent pay cut for a year, Gray added.

She also said a few positions could be cut.

The city's total recreation budget for 2008-09 was $262,722, which includes operating expense and personnel. The department has two full-time and two part-time employees along with eight counselors during the summer program.

The revenue from fees does not cover the cost of running the department, City Manager Sarah Adelt said Monday.

The city also receives about $300,000 a year from the county, which goes to the city's parks and recreation departments.

Adelt is preparing recommendations concerning the recreation department for the city council's consideration but didn't give more details.

"We are putting together a package we will give them for their budget meeting on July 18th, but we don't have it totally designed yet," Adelt replied.

Parks and Recreation Coordinator Michelle Cuencas said the summer recreation program is averaging 58 kids (5 - 12 years old) a week.

The weekly fee is the same as last year, $35, but participation is down from about 80 students per week last year.

Cuencas attributes the enrollment drop to the weak economy.

"Recreation to me personally is a need - not a privilege," she said.

All the department's activities are sports-related.

"I understand we are facing cuts - where, what, how, when, who - we will all know that in upcoming meetings," Cuencas said.

Should recreation be axed? Some Avon Park residents weigh in

•Thomas Whatson said he has a couple of nephews who go to the city's recreation center.

He wouldn't vote for closing down the recreation department because a lot of kids enjoy it, he said.

•Margie Riley said "cut somewhere else; why cut the recreation department?"

If they cut a little bit from city employees' salaries, they could keep their jobs, she said.

•Red Smith said, as someone suggested at the June 22 city council meeting, college students could come in and do it as part of their curriculum without getting any pay. "If that will help the city; I don't want to see anybody get laid off and lose their job with the economy today the way it is."

But, the city is going to have to cut somewhere without raising taxes, he added.

•Mohammed Ullah said "recreation is good, I want to keep it," but if the city needs money it will raise money from somewhere else such as the water bill.

•Leroy Small said "we do need recreation for the children. They need to keep part of it."