Politics & Government
Commissioners To Hear From Public on Hillsborough’s Contentious Budget
The budget "is balanced within available resources, but those resources have dwindled," County Administrator Michael S. Merrill wrote to commissioners in his budget presentation. Public hearing set for June 13 at 6 p.m.
Hillsborough County Commissioners better be prepared for an earful tonight, June 13, when they hold a public hearing on a proposed budget if past meetings on the cost-cutting plan are anything to go by.
The county's parks director, Mark Thornton, had a rough ride with residents last week in Brandon when he outlined cuts in his department's budget which included suspending services at up to 30 of 42 recreation centers and eliminating the county's after-school care program.
The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department has been at pains to point out that the county commission will make the final decision on the budget.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As a result, several Brandon residents who attended Thornton's June 9 presentation vowed to make the trip to Tampa to make sure they are heard.
The proposed elimination of the after-school program is expected to be particularly contentious.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Most people can't afford day care so what are we supposed to do? Let young kids walk home?," said Robert Herman, who has three young children in the after-care program at the Brandon Recreation Center.
County commissioners are expected to face more of the same reaction from the public at beginning at 6 p.m. at the County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
According to the parks department, the cost-cutting proposals would save $7.5 million annually and would entail:
•Mothballing 25-30 recreation centers (residents would still be able to rent those centers)
•Upgrading the remaining 10-12 recreation centers – Brandon Recreation Center would get a new gymnasium under the plan. No final decision has been made on which centers will be mothballed.
•Cutting parks department staff from 534 to 391
•Eliminating after-school care at the county’s recreation centers
•Contracting out maintenance at local parks and athletic fields to private companies
The budget "is balanced within available resources, but those resources have dwindled," County Administrator Michael S. Merrill wrote to commissioners in his budget presentation.
The county's recommended budget for the 2012 fiscal year totals $2.955 billion compared with the 2011 fiscal year budget of $3.521 billion.
To view all budget documents, including Capital Program Workshop Materials and Decision Units, go to the Management and Budget web page.
