Residents Expected to Voice Concerns Over Parks Budget Cuts at Hearing

County officials are preparing to take flak over proposed parks budget cuts during the second of two public hearings on the $3.8 billion county budget scheduled for July 21 starting at 6 p.m.

The hearing, expected to attract concerned residents from throughout Hillsborough County, will take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301.

Residents who plan to speak can sign in at 5:30 p.m.

“Residents are strongly encouraged to attend and give their points of view,” said Willie Puz, a county spokesman. “We hope that people take this seriously because the country has faced severe budget cuts the past four years and the decisions that will be made will impact government services.”

Among those who plan to be front and center at the hearing is Michelle Imhoff of Riverview.

Imhoff is concerned about the county's plan to do away with the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation's after-school program.

Currently, 41 county recreation centers host after-school programs where parents pay up to $18 to $135 a week, depending on income.

Parks director Mark Thornton is proposing to cut the low-cost after-school programs and close 30 of the county's 42 recreation centers that currently have programmed activities.

Imhoff and fellow residents who take advantage of the after-school recreation program said the cuts will pose a hardship on them.

Under Thornton's plan, 12 centers would be constructed or expanded. Those centers would not have traditional after-school programs but would host special after-school classes for children ranging from dance to martial arts.

Thornton suggests maintaining the Northdale, All People's and University Center rec centers, expanding Westchase, Town 'n Country, Thonotosassa, Brandon, Gardenville and Ruskin, and building new centers in Keystone, Progress Village and at the FishHawk Ranch Sports Complex. However, he conceded that construction of the new centers could be 10 years down the road.

Thornton said his plan would increase the total square footage of programmed space from 242,000 square feet to 250,000 square feet, and he said a remaining centers would be within a five- to 15-minute drive of all residents.

The plan would reduce staffing at county parks from 534 to 391 full-time positions and save $7.5 million annually, according to Thornton.

The smaller centers that would be closed, like the Riverview Recreation Center on Capitano Street and the Bloomingdale West Recreation Center on Canoga Park Drive, would still be available for rent by community groups.  

Imhoff, who uses the Riverview Recreation Center, said Thornton's plan would force her to transport her child to the next closest recreation center, the Gardenville Recreation Center in Gibsonton, a 45-minute drive, to take advantage of the after-school classes.

Thornton said reasons for cutting the after-school programs is the availability of after-school programs at schools and YMCAs and a decrease in enrollment after the parks department raised fees.

But Imhoff and fellow parents pointed out that 1,800 children continue to use the after-school programs.

“Whether or not you have a child in the after-school program, you need to be there to speak out against the county cutting this program,” said Imhoff. "The county’s after-school program is the most affordable you can find in the area. If we don’t have the program, you will see more children staying home by themselves and doing what kids do. It will lead to an increase in juvenile crime and vandalism which impacts everyone.”

Imhoff cites a California report in which the state saved $9 to $13 for every $1 spent on after-school programs.

“There’s a direct correlation between the two because kids in a structured after-school program are devoting their energies to things other than getting into mischief," she said.

"The staff at the parks do more than baby-sit," added Imhoff. "They teach social skills, they tutor, they're mentors, they do a lot of things."

Puz said the county is anticipating a large crowd at tonight's public hearing.

“Last year, hundreds of people showed up so we are making sure we have space available if we have a large number of people,” he said.

Public hearing attendees should use the entrance on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the Fairgrounds. Parking will be free for attendees.

Residents also will be able to view the hearing live on Bright House channel 622, Verizon and Comcast channel 22.

Those who cannot attend the public hearing have a variety of opportunities to give their ideas and opinions on budget actions by sending e-mails to hcbudget@hillsboroughcounty.org, or by voice or text to 813-704-0181.

More information and instructions for all comment options, a link to the dates of the budget hearings and workshops, and a link to the proposed budget document in its entirety are available on the county's website.