The Independence Township Parks and Recreation department is slashing several programs and special events in an attempt to balance the budget.
They eliminated almost every special event operated by the department, Deer Lake Beach and senior programs. Surviving the budget cut is the Fourth of July event.
The Township Board approved the budget at its Dec. 5 regular meeting by a vote of 4-2.
Voters denied a millage of 0.4 mills (equivalent to $60 for residents whose home has a taxable value of $150,000) in November. The millage was expected to collect more than $659,000 in its first year.
The millage would have afforded the township a separate funding source for a new senior center and senior activities, a function which now occupies nearly 20 percent of the parks and recreation budget, Director Mike Turk said.
Turk estimated the beach, located on White Lake Road, has been under his department’s watch for more than 30 years. Deer Lake, which held swimming lesson each year, saw 9,000 visitors in 2006, Turk said.
The township’s nearly $23 million budget includes $2.1 million for parks and recreation. This is nearly $100,000 less than this year’s budget, said township Finance Director Susan Hendricks.
The general fund for the township, which funds everything except library, police and fire services, safety path and the department of public works, contributed $200,000 more for the department. The department also drew $400,000 from the fund balance, which is typically used for capital improvements, Hendricks said.
The township’s woes continue with the perpetual cuts in state revenue sharing, which has gotten to the $800,000 mark since 2001.
The decision may be amended at the township’s scheduled budget workshops on Jan. 9 and Feb. 13.
‘We’re having more workshops todiscuss the financial status of the township,? Hendricks said.
Township Supervisor David Wagner said the cuts to parks and recreation are unrelated to the denial of the seniors? millage in November. The millage would have helped, but cuts would still have been necessary, Wagner said.
‘This was not done for that reason, even if it looks like that,? he said.
‘There’s no denying the fact that we don’t have the money’each year they’ve been cutting and cutting. There’s no way for us to make that up.? Wagner added.
Cuts saved the department more than $165,000, Turk said.
Senior activities, inline skating and volleyball programs, summer camps, swimming lessons, and special events such as the Easter egg picnic, Share Your Wish with Santa, Friendly Forest, and Teddy Bear Picnic got the ax.
Turk said overtime for workers will be eliminated and nearly 25 percent of the department’s part-time staff will have to be laid off. Senior athletics will be reworked to save money, transportation will be partially cut and the senior home-chore program will see an end.
Turk said the hours of operation for the department’s three remaining parks, Clintonwood, Bay Court, and Sashabaw Plains, may be reduced.
‘I hope people understand they might see more litter, longer grass (and) things that normally get done, but we just don’t have the manpower to get it done,? Turk said.
The programs for youths in the area are irreplaceable, Turk said.
‘They mean a lot. It’s our duty to give these kids something to do with their time or we are going to pay for it in one way or another,? he said.
Athletic programs teach kids how to interact with others, and build team working skills and self-esteem, Turk said.
Turk said many people moved to Independence Township because of the superior parks and activities the area had to offer, and they have come to expect the best.
‘I don’t think people in the area will stand for this,? Turk said.
The best way to ensure these activities remain a township mainstay, is to pass a dedicated millage to fund the department, he said.
‘Until we fix the problem, it’s not going to go away.?