Director Lucy Robinson has announced there will be changes to Parks and Recreation hours and services coming soon, due to a pending cut in borough funding for the department.
Recreation Coordinator Devyn Johnson said last week the details were still being worked out.
As proposed in the draft budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, the borough contribution to the parks and recreation department would drop from $640,000 last year to $554,000. Borough funds cover more than 70% of the budget for the department’s programs and maintenance, including the community center and swimming pool.
In an email to Wrangell residents and a Facebook post on June 17, Robinson said, effective July 1, Parks and Recreation will implement changes to its “schedule and programming to ensure we can continue to provide you with the high level of service you expect, albeit with some adjustments.”
She said activity and program hours will be impacted, while some services may be streamlined or otherwise adjusted. There will also be staffing adjustments, she said, but “rest assured, this will not compromise the safety and quality of our services.”
At the June 5 budget work session, Robinson told the borough assembly: “People are going to see a reduction in hours, a reduction in swims” because of reduced staff hours. “We’re just going to have to bite the bullet. … We’re definitely going to see a reduction in services.”
The borough manager also recommended reduced spending in several other areas, including the police department. The assembly was scheduled to adopt a final budget, with any amendments, at its meeting Tuesday, June 25.
Reader Comments(0)