Sonoma County supervisors Tuesday gave initial approval to a $1.2 million cut in parks spending, a move expected to result in reduced maintenance, the partial closure of a popular Healdsburg swimming area and the loss of about 12 jobs, most of them seasonal slots.
The budget-cutting measures were raised in the second day of hearings focused on filling a $61.6 million gap in the county's general fund for the upcoming fiscal year.
The reduced spending could cause a big change at Healdburg's Veterans Memorial Beach. As part of its oversight of seven local veterans facilities, the county operates the Russian River swimming area on about $80,000 a year, including funds for a seasonal dam, lifeguards and beach upkeep.
Yet under a plan given informal approval today, about half of that funding is available next year, a scenario that officials say will result in the non-operation of the dam in 2011 and closure of the area's swimming lagoon. The beach, a smaller wading area and minimal lifeguard staffing could still be supported.
"People are going to see changes," said County Regional Parks Director Mary Burns.
County officials plan to approach the city of Healdsburg for help in paying for the recreational site, which is scheduled to open this year by July 1.
But the city's fiscal situation is also shaky, having seen layoffs in the past two years.
"Based on our current challenges, we don't have the resources to help," said David Mickaelian, Healdsburg's assistant manager, who oversees parks.
The county's 44 regional parks, which receive more than 40 percent of their total budget from the county, including $4.2 million in general fund money, have already had 16 percent slashed from their spending in the current fiscal year.
Next year's cuts, which supervisors are set to approve Wednesday, will lead to reduced upkeep of trails and restrooms, and more infrequent collection of garbage, weed removal and clean up of graffiti and other vandalism.
"We're not closing any parks, but people will definitely see they will not be as manicured," said Burns.
The county's cut in parks spending will hit two permanent positions — an attendant job at the Spud Point Marina in Bodega Bay and an event services position, both currently vacant,and about 10 seasonal jobs, including lifeguard, maintenance and park aid slots.
The seasonal jobs, which are part-time, would usually employ between 25 to 30 people, Burns said.
WEDNESDAY HEARING
Before a formal vote on the budget Wednesday, supervisors are set to review the budget plans for the Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices and the Probation Department.
Those departments account for more than half of all general fund spending, projected to be $395 million in upcoming fiscal year. At stake are 62 unfilled positions.
Within the Sheriff's Office, the proposal would eliminate 31 unfilled positions, including 11 deputy slots, and lay off 12 employees, mostly correctional officers. It could also result in the elimination of a community policing program and associated graffiti abatement efforts, and funding for two domestic violence counselors.
At the Probation Department, among other cuts, officials have proposed eliminating about 24 vacant positions, laying off one employee and closing the Sierra Youth Center, a 20-bed residential facility east of Santa Rosa that serves juvenile female offenders.
"It's a tough cut," said Chief Probation Officer Robert Ochs. "It's a very tough cut."
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