Last Updated: Friday, July 12, 2013, 6:16 AM BREVARD COUNTY --?
Nearly two dozen Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department jobs are on the chopping block. This week the county manager outlined what he calls a bare-bones budget and the parks department is taking the brunt of the cuts.
A total of 35 parks positions are on the chopping block. Of that, 14 positions are open so that means 21 county employees would be laid off.
It?s all a part of County Manager Howard Tipton?s budget proposal. Under the proposal, $3.3 million would be cut from the Parks and Recreation budget, an 11 percent decrease in operations.
No parks would be closed, but park programs would be cut back, along with hours. Park visitors like Rich Woodward from Melbourne are worried. ?Obviously parks are an important and necessary opportunity for the public to enjoy the outdoors we have here in Brevard County. I think cutting the parks would be detrimental to a lot of family enjoyment.?
Fewer employees mean lawns will not be mowed as much and bathrooms not cleaned as often.
The overall budget proposal is a slight increase from last year?s budget but retirement and healthcare costs are taking a bigger portion of county funds.
The county commission has the final say on the budget. They will make a decision after two public hearings in September.
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