MECKLENBURG CO., N.C.,None — Mecklenburg County's Park and Recreation Department said it will have to close four recreation centers and cut more than 200 jobs -- nearly half of the department's staff -- to absorb the recommended county budget cuts.
County Manager Harry Jones' budget recommendation for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, calls for a 37 percent funding cut to the department.
VIDEO: Park And Rec: Cuts Mean Closing Parks, Cutting Jobs
"All programs, all activities within the department are going to be impacted," Jim Garges, director of the Park and Rec department, said. "There's not going to be anything that's the same."
The department released the following list of the changes that will have to be made to adjust to the funding cut:
• 194 filled positions and 12 vacancies will be eliminated
• Four recreation centers will close: St. Paul, First Ward, Amay James and Greenville
• All 18 remaining centers will have reduced hours, closing on Sundays and opening later in the mornings
• West Charlotte High School pool operations will cease. All remaining pools will remain open
• Latta Nature Center will close and hours at McDowell Nature Center will be reduced
• McDowell Campground will be closed for six months during the winter season
• Specialized Parks Service Division, Turf and Irrigation, Horticulture and Greenway Maintenance sections will be reduced
• All park maintenance functions and enhancement projects will be reduced
• Building maintenance functions will be transferred to real estate services and outsourced
• Five planners in the Capital Planning and Greenway divisions will be eliminated
• Recreation program development manager functions and Special Events section will be eliminated
• Natural resources protection, environmental education and outdoor recreation programs functions will be reduced and 17 positions will be eliminated
• A 57 percent reduction in operating expenses will limit all contract support services and supplies for programs and activities.
Jones' budget also calls for a 45 percent funding cut to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library system and a 6 percent funding cut to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
County commissioners will vote on the budget recommendation in mid-June.
The public can weigh in on the budget proposal at a public meeting on May 27. To sign up to speak at that meeting, click here. You can also call 704-336-2086 to register to speak.
Previous Stories: May 19, 2010: Budget Cuts Mean Big Changes Across County May 19, 2010: Meck Co. Manager Submits 'Brutal' Budget Request