County may cut its recreation programs

DINWIDDIE -- County officials are weighing the possibility of cutting some or all recreational programs for the rest of this fiscal year as one way to address a $1.5 million budget shortfall.

Cutting all county recreation programs during the next five months will save the county about $75,000, Dinwiddie officials said yesterday.

The county is conducting an in-depth study of all its departments to try to make up for the shortfall, County Administrator W. Kevin Massengill told the Board of Supervisors during a special meeting.

Massengill has formed an efficiency review board made up of five county officials who are reviewing each agency for possible savings, including the possibility of personnel cuts. The review board will make recommendations to Massengill on Feb. 13.

"I don't want to end the year without balancing the budget," Massengill said. "We will have to make some cuts."

Massengill asked supervisors to give him and Brian Mancini, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, some guidance on programs that can be eliminated.

The department offers fitness and sports classes and a variety of other programs to county residents throughout the year. Many programs have waiting lists, Mancini said.

Massengill said a decision to cut programs would need to be made before a new cycle of classes begins March 1.

The Eastside Community Enhancement Center, where many of the classes are held, could be closed on certain days of the week to save on utilities and other expenses, he said.

"I think your phones are going to ring, my phones are going to ring," Massengill said. "But I don't want to start programs March 1 and then cut them."

Layoffs would be the last resort, Massengill said, but they remain a possibility.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .