Recreation Budget Proposal Shows Decrease

By Kendra Bobowick

Showing a $760 decrease from the current fiscal year in its spending plan, the Parks and Recreation Department’s proposed budget FY 2011-2012 is 0.04 percent less than last year’s departmental budget. “We’re coming in lower,” said Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold. The department saw a $1,839,860 approval for its 2010-2011 budget, and has whittled its coming year’s funding request to $1,839,100 for 2011-2012.

“This is a solid budget for us,” she said. “We worked very hard to get our budget to where it should be.” Ms Mangold is now preparing to move her proposal through the budget process in coming weeks, which will include a preliminary meeting with First Selectman Pat Llodra and Finance Director Bob Tait.

Decreases came from summer programming at $103,377 from last year to $94,217 in this year’s funding request, and a $500 decrease in the safety and clothing allowance, lowering the item to $12,560. Based on past years’ history of the anticipated number of summer counselors needed, Ms Mangold “felt safe bringing the [line item] down” for the coming year, and comfortable in reducing the estimated counselor costs.

Among the cuts is one item increase of $8,900 in capital expenses intended for equipment and infrastructure costs. The item is up to $176,500 from last year’s $167,600, and is intended to cover costs for shop equipment for the Trades Lane maintenance building, field maintenance, and machinery lease or purchase. She mentioned that the Babe Ruth League needs a new field, for example.

Despite the increase, the capital expense item is significantly less than Ms Mangold’s department’s wish list. “We have so many needs,” she said. She can anticipate a need for as much as $590,000, she said. Equipment and infrastructure projects are ongoing for the recreation department and, “We would like to add more,” Ms Mangold said, but she is realistic that costs would be cut as the budget moves through town boards for approval.

Her department and the Parks and Recreation Commission together worked to get the number down, she said. “It’s enough to at least keep services from failing,” she said.