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County may now reduce parks funding by 68%

Commissioners OK’d $80K last month before getting more info.

National Trail Parks and Recreation employees O'Neal Howard (left) and Gene Cameron fill in holes left behind from the removal of old water fountains in Snyder Park in Springfield on Tuesday.
Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic/Staff Photographer National Trail Parks and Recreation employees O'Neal Howard (left) and Gene Cameron fill in holes left behind from the removal of old water fountains in Snyder Park in Springfield on Tuesday. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 8:45 AM Wednesday, February 8, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — Clark County commissioners are considering cutting funds budgeted for local parks and recreation by nearly 68 percent just weeks after approving the 2012 budget.

In a 2-1 vote, commissioners John Detrick and David Hartley agreed last month to appropriate $80,000 for the National Trail Parks and Recreation District with the caveat the organization take care of grass and snow removal at the National Road Commons park developed by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Community Improvement Corporation.

But Hartley balked after learning that maintaining National Road Commons plus taking on the park’s water and utility bills would cost NTPRD $12,300 annually. As a result, Detrick on Tuesday proposed the county reduce appropriations for the organization to $26,000 with “no strings attached.”

Commissioners plan to vote on the proposal next week, but Hartley has yet to decide if he will support it.

“Twenty-six thousand dollars is not a fair amount. As a matter of fact, they probably need more than $80,000,” Hartley said.

Commissioner Rick Lohnes remains against funding the organization.

Voters recently approved a 0.6-mill, 5-year tax levy for NTPRD and the Clark County Park District, which will generate $390,000 for the park district and $1 million for NTPRD to maintain green space.

The funds cannot be used to support recreational activities, but Lohnes said the organization doesn’t need additional money.

Hartley and Detrick disagree.

Detrick said National Trail needs more money than the $26,000 he proposed, but said the county does not have the money to give them more.

“It’s a middle ground. This will at least show them we’re thinking of them,” Detrick said.

National Trail operates on  $4 million annually, CEO Tim Smith said.

The organization lost $280,000 annually in funding from the county two years ago, and received $1.1 million in funds from the city, down from $2 million a few years ago.

Smith said the proposed $26,000 is not enough to support recreational services used by city and county residents.

“It doesn’t provide the funds that we need to for recreational activities, but we’ve had zero for the last couple years,” Smith said.

“We would always prefer a greater number, but we’re open to hearing more options,” he said.

Smith stressed NTPRD officials are not asking the county to fully support its operations, but would like to see funding levels return to what they were a couple years ago.

“We would like to get something in that neighborhood, but we’re always receptive to opportunities for revenue,” he said.

“Any positive movement is much appreciated,” Smith said.

Commissioners also discussed increasing appropriations from $2,000 to $8,000 for the Dayton Development Coalition, an economic development group in which Clark County and the city of Springfield are members.

Detrick proposed the $6,000 increase, he said, to support an organization he said is key to bringing jobs to the area.

Specifically, he cited the group’s efforts to make the region a center for unmanned aircraft technology development and pilot training, which creates an environment for new jobs.

If approved, the coalition could receive about $10,500 from the area as the city of Springfield plans to contribute $2,500 to the coalition, city officials said.

Hartley has not decided if he will support the proposal, but Lohnes is in favor of it.

“We have to make sure we’re a legitimate player,” Lohnes said, referring to efforts for the Miami Valley to be chosen as one of areas designated to fly unmanned aerial vehicles. “They win, we win. If we get the airspace, our options are endless.”

Commissioners also agreed to spend more than $271,900 to buy 11 vehicles — mostly detective cars — for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The vehicles will replace aging cruisers in the department’s fleet and are part of the county’s capital improvement plan.

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