Cuts To Snowflake Parks Budget May Be Alleviated By Staff And Volunteer Help

By Naomi Hatch
   Proposed cuts to the Snowflake Recreation and Parks Department budget cuts brought mixed feelings to members of the town council.
   At the Feb. 24 council meeting, Recreation and Parks Director Don Camacho explained plans to cut his budget by $21,000 by canceling the contract with Growing Season Inc. to maintain Frontier Drive for $25,376.
   Town Manager Paul Watson explained that the budget needs to be cut by four percent this year and probably more next fiscal year.
   Councilman Dean Porter expressed concern that the roadway would not be maintained, but Camacho explained that staff members and volunteers would take over the maintenance, and that he would spray weed killer earlier in the season and heavier this year to help with weed control.
   Porter was so concerned with this that he offered approximately $200 he receives for serving on the town council to go toward Frontier Drive maintenance, and encouraged other council members to do the same.
   “Maybe some residents want to help, too,” said Councilwoman Sharon Tate.
   Camacho replied that there were no residents in that area and that staff will maintain it, saying, “We’re not just going to let it go.”
   “I think Sharon has a good idea,” said Councilwoman Lorri Davis. “We did that one time before,” referring to cleaning their lots. “I even wonder if the community wouldn’t mind one day a month come out and bring hoes.”
   Mayor Kelly Willis asked, “The discussion is on discontinuing the maintenance contract, and when you say you’re going to do something, how do we do something if we discontinue the contract?”
   Camacho responded, “I mean in-house with staff and, hopefully, with volunteers.”
   Councilman Chris Brimhall reminded the council that previously they had LDS wards working on this and there was a lot of damage to the underground pipes.
   Mayor Willis said, “We have to consider the times we’re in, and there’s going to be a lot of things that are reduced or cut. We have to take a look where we can. I know how important that is to everyone, but I think if it is that important to everyone, as we think it is, as we say it is, then we ought to be able to solicit some help from members of the community and the churches. We can’t expect Don (Camacho) to work miracles with the little money he has.”
   Brimhall agreed, saying, “I think that we need to try to save the money. I think volunteerism in this town has been very effective in the past…I’d like to see you move forward with the spraying and use volunteers.”
   Porter commented, “We ask everybody else to take a cut and then we keep ours,” noting the feeling that the council is a little bit like Congress.
   No action was required on this item, as it was for discussion only. Watson pointed out that this is the first of several cuts that the council will be made aware of.
   In other business, pursuant to state law, the town may authorize without using competitive public bidding procedures the purchase of supplies, materials and equipment from the mayor and any member of the town council, so the council unanimously approved Resolution No. 09-513, adopting a policy and procedure for purchasing from the mayor and members of the town council. This is an annual resolution, and requires the purchasing agent for the town to keep separate up-to-date records of all purchasing transactions with the mayor and town council.