By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Mayor Tari Renner said he expects parks and recreation will be the ‘low-hanging fruit’ for alderman when the city council holds two budget-cutting retreats next week.
Renner told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin many parks and rec programs recoup most of their cost, but that still leaves a $7 million hole.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Renner on WJBC.
“In a $186 million budget, that’s not a high percentage, but it’s still serious money,” Renner said. “That’s where we tend to look (for cuts).”
A group wanting the city to not change or sell its golf courses turned in a petition with about 100 signatures.
Renner said the city wouldn’t likely close or sell any of the courses, but it would have them raise fees or cut costs in other ways.
“We may ask those (courses) to buckle up, and figure out a way to either have service reductions or charge more for the service or in some cases, service elimination,” Renner said.
Renner added the $20,000 cost for the Miller Park Theater production of Hairspray “seemed to be high” but the $6,000 rights fee for production isn’t out of line.
Renner said the main driver of the city’s budget problems in recent years is inflation.
The budget retreats will be held on Nov. 19 and 21.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
