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City considers saving money in grass cutting
Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009
NATCHEZ — If the city uses Alderman Dan Dillard’s budget cutting suggestion, it could result in a quarter of a million dollars in savings and multiple layoffs.
Dillard said the recreation department annually spends an exorbitant amount of money cutting grass — $160,000 is spent on cutting the five parks and $200,000 cutting the 10 ball fields that fall under the recreation department.
He said private landscaping companies are competitive and offer low prices, and he said he’s received an estimate as low as $30,000 for cutting the five parks.
Dillard said he estimates the city could bid out the cutting of the ball fields at $40,000 annually.
If the parks and fields were cut by a private contractor, the city could save $290,000 a year.
He said there are many unseen expenses in park and field maintenance, not just the labor itself but gas, equipment and mower maintenance.
“It’s not that the recreation department is doing such a poor job,” Dillard said. “It’s just very inefficient.”
He said the recreation department is overwhelmed by grass cutting expenditures.
“We’re inundated with it. The recreation department is burdened with it,” Dillard said.
Of course with the plan would come layoffs.
“We’re going to have to lay a few off to benefit,” he said. “I think it’s a smart way, a more efficient way, to provide services to the public with programs — ways that the recreation department should.”
He said the savings could be funneled into the golf course and tennis courts to beef up recreation programs.
“It’s a significant amount that can’t be overlooked. It wouldn’t diminish your services. It would, in fact, improve them.”
Dillard lobbied his suggestion during the aldermen’s work session Tuesday afternoon, and Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said was concerned about employees who would be close to retirement.
She requested a list of all of the grass-cutting employees and how long they have been employed. If they are close to retirement, she said, instead of laying them off the city could provide them with the opportunity to just retire.
Other aldermen had suggestions to save money, most of which would be enacted in the upcoming 2009-2010 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Mayor Jake Middleton suggested that in the next fiscal year, city employees pay $25 a month toward their insurance, for a total annual savings of $82,000.
Mathis suggested freezing the step pay program within the city, where employees receive small raises each year they are employed.
City Clerk Donnie Holloway said freezing the program for a year would save $40,000.
Alderman Mark Fortenbery suggested removing the cameras that film the board’s twice monthly meetings, a measure that was already attempted earlier this year.
The mayor removed the cameras, which with filming, editing and airing bill the city approximately $400 to $500 a month, but the board voted them back in.
Fortenbery also suggested lowering the aldermen salary by a percentage, though he did not specify.
Five aldermen make $22,299.84 a year. Mathis, because she is a part of the Public Employees Retirement System, makes $19,086.24 a year.
Alderman Bob Pollard suggested ending the city’s leasing of a portion of the former Marketplace Café in conjunction with Alcorn State University’s farmer’s market.
The city pays $1,200 a month to lease the building for that purpose, and though the lease ends in October of this year, Pollard said the city could still save a few dollars in these remaining months.
No official decisions were made, and the board met in executive session to discuss contracts and personnel.
Comments
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is in charge of planning and maintaining the budget in the city/county?? Mr. Freakin' Magoo??
How can this annual expenditure be news to anyone? What a reality this whole mess has become.
Nobody, I mean nobody knows who is spending what until they start running out of money.......unreal !!!
Posted by ghost (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its just a matter of time before the state looks into whats going on around here. I just cant believe that the leaders in Natchez are squeezing every last drop of life out of their citizens and employees. So, is Natchez the place to be now? Its all one big joke
Posted by wondertwin (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If this is the best that you can do for the city by taking away pay raises for firefighters and policemen and charging them 25 a month, then we do not need you! I cannot wait until the next election! Cut your own pay, do not buy anymore cars for the mayor or department heads, and stop taking trips! I just do not understand how you aldermen sleep at night.
Posted by Omega (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wondertwin is right. The police department gat a 9% raise a few years ago and it was the first one in over 7 years. Benefits for city workes have been gettig cut for about the last 15 years. They started charging about $8.00 for some or all city workers last year and now they want to go to $25.00. Hummm... The BoA and mayor need to have their pay cut in half.
Posted by nd (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone during these times need their job, and perhaps they could cut back on the number of times they actually cut. I'm at parks a lot, so I see the guys out cutting and working hard in the hot sun. Now, if they wasn't doing anything but sitting around, I could understand your point, but generally everyone is working and doing a fine job on keeping the grass cut.
Posted by JustAPerson (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How much of their insurance premium do the employess pay now. I know at most jobs that offer insurance the employee pays half and employer pays half. I see nothing wrong with that scenario at all.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on June 17, 2009 at 6:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It just seems to me that the BOA is in a State of Denial.
Well, BOA it is time to wake the hell up. As the old song goes, it is time for less a lot less talk and a lot more action.
Twiddling thumbs, wringing hands, scratching your butt, etc just has to STOP!
The BOA has all ready squandered half a million of next years revenues.
Don't you think it is time to get expenses in line with revenues? And no, I am not talking about a tax increase.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a better idea. Have the players,coaches and parents maintain the fields. If you want to use it take care of it. My kids played summer ball in Vidalia and us parents, coaches and players took care of the fields. Get off your tail and do something. These parks do not benefit us that have no children living here,no jobs, so those of you that do, take care of it. Bunch of lazy whinners. Save our tax dollars for the basic services we need.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VERY WELL PUT "GEMCCULL" AND BEAMMEUPSCOTTY". I have no children using the sports facilities now so why should I pay? BUT WHEN I DID, WE DID OUR PART. Vidalia has beautifully maintained complexes and I've seen with my own eyes for over 40 years the parents, coaches, etc., doing the work.
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the suggestions was a cut in the BOA pay which I think is a good suggestion. I also believe the change in grass cutting either to a private service or as several of you have suggested let the coachs and parents take care of the ball fields. I see no problem with city employees paying $25.00 a month toward their insurance. Most people pay much more than that a month toward their insurance each month. When money is tight EVERYONE has to suck it up and help.
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Privating grass cutting is a good idea. Let the companies that are in the grass cutting business take care of it as long as they maintain workman's comp and liability insurance. Also, they must be held accountable and do a good job. The mayor makes approximately $69,000 a year - is that a reasonable salary for a city this size? Could it be cut? The BOA need a pay cut, also. I hate to see anyone lose their job but the complete ineptness of the city officials is unbelievable. Borrow, borrow, borrow.
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't understand how a mayor and BOA can be in office for a solid year before they realize that there is no money. The first thing any new administrator or manager (in this case, the mayor) should do is sit down and look at the numbers to see where the money goes. Who gets step-up raises and how often are they given? I would like to know this. If an incompetent person is hired for City Hall but is given step-up raises, how fair is that?
Posted by bikerider3 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the first cut in pay should be the BoA! I cannot wait to the next election either. At least Mr. Fortenbery is on the right track - if the percentage of the pay cut is at least 50%.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
beammeupscotty I have to agree with you, tennis players and golfers have to pay user fees, I don't know much about the ballfield use, but I have never heard of any user fees for that, the baseball and softball players should have to pay to help maintain those facilities.
and to Alderman Dan Dillard- I am so glad that one of our aldermen can think clearly and make a tough decision... $250,000 is a big savings- thank you. Dept Heads should have seen this. LOOK for ways to cut expense - that is the job of our aldermen and supervisors and mayor- no one is OWED A JOB.....
yes Fortenberry has a good idea
and all gov't services and operations should be FROZEN (except police and fire dept) until the budget is brought in line, this is totally unacceptable to borrow money to make ends meet, next year it will be worse trying to pay off loans, it's called IRRESPONSIBLE and STUPID
Posted by abc747 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I lived for a time in a large city where the mayor and board of aldermen worked for free because they had paying jobs in the private sector. I believe most of the Natchez and Adams County board members have "day jobs." I think they should donate their time for the civic good and just be reimbursed for expenses.
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My, OH, My, Pollard is really into to reducing the $1,000,000 budget deficient with his $1.200 a month idea. However, every little bit helps.
However, I guess Gray and Mathis don't think we have a problem.
Well, one or two on the BOA should make a motion to cut expenses and we will see who really is serious about fiscal responsibility.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We ain't seen nothin yet! The really bad times haven't even hit us. It looks like some volunteers are going to have to sharpen their mower blades and somehow, someway find the time and energy to get the grass cut,at least the ball fields for the kids, somewhere between the two or three jobs they are going to need to work so they(we) can survive this crisis we voted ourselves into. Remember to pay your taxes first!
Posted by butch (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
-----Attention city of Natchez-------
Consider this my open bid for your consideration . I can save you a significant amount of money . My price is only $224,999.99 for the same time frame . This is an extraordinary deal ! Please don't let this op pass you by in order to save some money for the city . BOA please don't let this pass . You have a chance to redeem yourselves .
You know how to contact me !
Posted by butch (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's a deal partner !
Posted by reb1843 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not use those folks held in county / city jails to (1) pick up litter and (2) do a little yardwork in public parks, etc? Seems they would get some good exercise while providing the citizens of Natchez a needed service.
I see these work crews all the time during my travels in LA and TX. Why not in MS?
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So, did George Ward get that pay increase he asked for a few weeks ago to hire a law clerk? No offense towards him, he's a good guy, but maybe this isn't the time for any increase in salaries is my point...so just being curious since I read about that request in the Democrat not too long ago.
I've have seen inmate looking people cleaning alongside the roads in Natchez. What facility do they come from?
Why not break it down on paper (in the paper) to show exactly (to whom) and (what's being paid for what) towards lawn maintenance in Natchez? And you're saying it could be reduced by $230,000 per year? From $260,000 to $30,000 for the same amount of lawn care? Wow! That's amazing!
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about every able-bodied person who receives a welfare check get assigned a section of town to mow grass, pick up trash, etc.?? It will either get the job done for free (gas expenses included in the check), or keep people from milking the welfare system.
It's called "earn your money". What a concept!
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, the $30,000 was just for the 5 parks. I left off the $40,000 for the 10 ball fields. Where did the $290,000 in savings come from? Oops, $100,000+$260,000=$360,000-$70,000=$290,000 Excuse my mistakes, I need more coffee.
Anyways, that would be a pretty good savings, if it's possible.
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again, Dillard has shown he is the only Alderman with any sense...we need to impeach Jake and elect HIM mayor. How come it took a first time alderman to realize the enormous expense of what has obviously been going on FOR YEARS?!!!! Jake was head of the Rec committe when he was an alderman...why didn't he notice this expense? RIDICULOUS!
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The city could do nothing. Let the grass grow all summer. When it dies in the winter that is when the fields could be used. Think of the challenge it would make for an Easter egg hunt. This high grass would help the umpires make the bad calls they made when my kids were young. Maybe we could come up with some new sports. Have rabbit dogs on the field to find the ball. Think outside the box, as soon as I get out of this straight jacket.
Posted by fatherof4 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For that kind of money, I would cut it with a push mower!
Posted by abbmwc (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't they give the option to the people they are about to lay off to get their own equipment and insurance and pay them to do it and the "sub-contractor" price! I would be willing to do that if they were about to lay me off! It's hard to find a job right now!
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GIVE is the factor for nonperformance of current public works!
Bid out the grass cutting. Hell, everywhere you look/drive around town, there are trucks pulling trailers with mower, edgers, etc.
Do not let one contractor have all the business. Bids for mowing should be for specific areas. Go with the lowest bidder who has the wherewithall, (equipment, insurance, etc).
Posted by debbyeveillon (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm all in favor of Adams County Prisoners providing the lawn maintenance, road maintenance, and redlight and sign maintenance around the city... They are provided a place to sleep and are fed by the tax payers... let them provide a service for their living expenses while incarcerated
DHV
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is another idea sell all the parks. Get out of the recreation busness.
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on June 17, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about this scotty- how about not turning every public need into a jobs opportunity in exchange for votes. The private bid idea is a great one and should have been done a long time ago.
I hope everyone notices how much it costs to cut this grass and how the city and the Natchez Endorser, I mean the Democrat, wants to add another 80 acres to it.
Natchez spends more on Culture and Recreation than it does on Public Safety. That should give everyone a clue about priorities and feasibility.
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We better think long and hard about putting in a public swimming pool - HUGE liability if someone gets hurt or drowns.
Posted by ingodwetrust (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NATCHEZ BOA THE MAYOR AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WE
PUT IN OFFICE ( ARE NOT DOING THIER JOB!! )
WHO IS IN CONTROL OF THE ( BUDGET FOR NATCHEZ!? )
ALL I DO KNOW IS ( MORE THAN ONE PERSON NEED'S TO GET THEIR FAT HAND'S OUT OF THE COOKIE JAR!! )
THIS GOES FAR BEYOND ( GRASS CUTTING NATCHEZ!! )
I WROTE AN ARTICAL IN THE PAPER SEVERAL TIME'S ABOUT
HOW ( NATCHEZ HAS NOTHING HERE FOR OUR SCHOOL AGE
CHILDREN AND TEEN'S TO DO!! )
NOT TO MENTION WHEN THEY GRAUDUATE THEY HAVE TO
LEAVE NATCHEZ TO GET A DECENT PAYING JOB!
ALL WE HAVE HERE IS OLD HOME'S AND CASINO'S, WITH
WAY TO MANY STUPID RULE'S!
THEY CAN TELL YOU WHAT COLOR YOU CAN PAINT YOUR
OWN HOME, SO IT WON'T CLASH WITH ALL OF THE OTHER
HOMES DOWN TOWN!??
THE ( GARDEN CLUB IN MY OPINION SHOULD HAVE NO SAY
AS TO WHAT KIND OF INDUSTRY WE TRY TO BRING INTO
NATCHEZ!! )
WE WILL NEVER GET A TEEN CENTER OR A WATER PARK
FOR OUR YOUTH AND THEN EVERYONE SEEM'S TO BE IN
SHOCK ABOUT ( GETTING THE GRASS CUT!?? )
PLEASE,.....NATCHEZ WAKE UP,...I SAY NO MORE SALARY
INCREASE FOR ANYONE!
NO MORE ( FREE RIDE'S FOR THE RICH! )
I ALSO SAY,..THE CITY OF NATCHEZ CAN SAVE THOUSAND'S
BY SIMPLY LETTING ( ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN JAIL AND IN
PRISON TO CUT THE GRASS FOR FREE ROOM AND BOARD! )
THEN ALL THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IS THE GAS!!
YOUR PROBLEM IS SOLVED!
LET THE LOCAL PRISNOR'S DO THE LOCAL WORK AND THE
ONE'S IN PRISON DO THE STATE WORK, IT SOUND'S LIKE A
GREAT IDEA TO ME.
ALSO IF ANY PRISNOR GET'S HURT OR INJURED WHILE
DOING THIER JOB, THEY CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO SUE
THE CITY OF NATCHEZ!
WHEN YOUR INCARCERATED,....YOU HAVE NO RIGHT'S, AT
LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE LAW SAY'S,...SO WHY NOT USE
A RESOURCE THAT WE ALL READY HAVE!??
I KNOW WHY,...BECAUSE IT SOUND'S TO EASY,...AND IT IS
EASY!!
I SAY OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL'S NEED TO DO THIER JOB,...
OR BE FIRED!
HAVE A NICE DAY & GOD BLESS US ALL!
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I mean no disrespect to anyone posting an opinion here but I feel compelled to point out...
When an article is about the City laying off people or the fact that the City budget is "out of balance" everyone complains about the salaries of the elected officials and the extra money spent on "non-necessary" items such as parks and recreation.
I remember an article not to very long ago that was about the need for public recreation and at that time I posted a response stating I did not feel it was the responsibility of the City. (If the City has EXTRA money then fine use it for recreation) I was completely blasted because "our children" should be our first responsibility.
My point being that some people seem to change there opinion whenever the wind blows.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone remember why "chain gangs" were stopped in the first place?
This isn't a new idea. It was a practise for most states to use inmate labor as a means for the prisoner to work for his/her keep.
There were those that took unfair advantage and used inhumane measures on those on the work gangs. Still was a great idea.
So the bleeding hearts screamed foul and most states caved. Yes there were those small towns that would trump up charges to get people put in jail to be used for work, but how is that any different than the little "speed traps" that are in use now?
I find it offensive that people who choose to break the law have more amenities than I do and don't have to pay a thing for it.
The Supreme Court said that prisoners have the right to have Cable TV. What about us?
Why do we have to pay for it if they don't?
I can't afford a membership to a gym but prisoners get weight rooms.
I have to pay for the food I eat, the clothes on my back, and the roof over my head, they should have to do the same.
I like the idea of making the welfare recipients work for their check too!
Yes the BOA and Mayor should cut their pay too!
It won't happen, but it is a nice thought!
The definition of insanity.... Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different outcome!
Posted by purecountry (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First, City Employees have not gotten a raise in more than 7 years. They are having to try and survive on old salaries. Recreation is needed for the kids. This has been a need for along time. Building a pool is crazy, too much exspense and liability. Go to Walmart and get one for your own back yard. If some of the departments would have enough respect for their job and not tear up the mowing equipement, there would not be so much overhead. AS far as employees paying for their own insurance, well that is part of their benefits. Just get rid of all the dead beats an the City could save lots of money. Make the mayor and boa request a list of all employees in each department and list what they do on a day to day base, not what their job description calls for and you will see who the dead beats are and how much money can be saved.
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agrees about the pool. That is an expense the City does not need to get involved in. I also agree with the comment about using inmate labor or welfare recipients. I do believe that paying $25 toward your insurance is not unreasonable. Most places that offer insurance require you to pay much more than that. I don't agree with step-raises. No one should get a raise just because they have been employed a specific amount of time. Raises should be based on job performance.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Put the prisoners to work mowing grass at the parks. They will enjoy getting out for a bit. Some of them could handle the maintenance on the mowers. That's right. Some of them know how to do things. Use their talents for something good.
Welfare recipients are a different story. I don't know if you could legally do that, but I do like the idea.
I still think that if I have to pee in a cup to be able to work and give my tax dollars to welfare recipients, they should have to do drug tests every month to get a check.
Posted by Morticia (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be nice if we could use inmate labor but that isn't always practical depending on what they are in for. The welfare recepients would be a good idea, but not everyone is physically able to do that kind of work.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, but many of them could be used. It is an untapped resource. It could also be used as job training for when they get out. Some could also be used for labor for the Water Works and other departments. Make them earn their keep.
Posted by NAMVET (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What ever happened to the words "PUBLIC SERVANT" ????
I thought in the begining the BOA of all towns, cities, were all voluentier(sic) positions, meaning they were not "PAID" a salary. They served their towns, cities, communities for the greater good of all. If the Natchez BOA are all about the greater good of Natchez --- then do it for free. You bunch of self-centered, no-good, back-biting, low-down, low-bred, self-rightious, "PEOPLE", yes this includes you "MR. MAYOR". Get up off of it and work together"FOR ONCE".
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Prison labor sounds great, but how many of them are taking/replacing a working mans job for half the pay?
At the end of the day they are transported back to the "free" hotel.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One thing for sure is that at least a private lawnmowing service would edge, they would blow the debris from the street, they would cart off the limbs and twigs that fall instead of parking them between two trees and letting it all grow up in weeds. The area I am specifically speaking about is in the New Trace area that took the homes from the Etania neighborhood. Those poor people who had to give up their dwellings of 50 plus years to have it poorly mowed, weeds growing up in the concrete curbs, tree limbs left on the property. It really does not look good. The only place it looks good is near the overpass.
Posted by double011 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr Dillard, I great idea on the grass cutting, but please bust up the private sector from making ALL of the concessions money both at duncan park and girls softball field its a racket on how much these people are making off this deal, I promise that duncan park fields are selling 1500-2000 a week in concessions, at least make them pay the grass cutting, at the Girls complex everyone there is kin and all of the concessions is privately distributed, PLEASE PLEASE look into this racket, I have a food sales back ground and if the field is buying 300, they should be making 6-800 a week, thats not their money..... at EACH FIELD
Posted by juju (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yea I bet Fortenberry really does want those cameras gone from the meetings!! And I'm sure that would really put a dent in our debt problem!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
500 $$ a month to run a video cam is ridiculous, the BOS and the BOA could buy their own DVD recorder and just catalog DVD's and Watts and Middleton could have a remote to turn it on and off themselves, it doesn't take a genius to run a video recorder that records to a DVD.....
on inmate labor operating grass-cutting equipment-=== we're talking in some cases big tractors and mowers that take skilled labor and are expensive to maintain, inmates are not responsible and will tear that gear up, plus while they're out on the "job" they will be scamming and receiving contraband to bring into the jail.......don't trust them....they'll break an anvil with a rubber hammer. Then there is the probability of getting hurt, and lawsuits will be coming....
and anyway it's the equipment cost and maintenance that is the big expense, a well trained and responsible private operator will keep his gear up and in good working order.
No one is talking about having the baseball players PAY to use the ballfields, WHY NOT!! They leave the lights on FOREVER and that is expensive, along with the sudden realization of the expense of grass-cutting!!. if every kid/family was coughing up a fair user fee - say $500- then it would be no problem to balance the budget. It is NOT the city/ county's responsibility to provide baseball fields....
Like I said before- golfers and tennis players pay to play, WHY DON"T THE BASEBALL PLAYERS. Whydto the ball players get a free ride? Pay up or shut up......or get out there and cut the grass on a volunteer basis....all those kids and dads that play ball need to get out there and cut grass between games. That's what really ought to be going on, that and Sports Center ought to be paying up a big chunk of that grass cutting money as they have a monopoly on all the baseball uniforms....that would be fair.
Everyone wants recreation but no one wants to pay, that's the problem, when the price of gas was 50 cents and a tractor was $5,000 and a PTO mower was $1,000 this fit the city budget ok. Now a 50 horse tractor costs $30,000 and the PTO mower costs $10,000 and diesel is $3/gallon. It doesn't take a genius to realize that 10 of those tractors costs $300,000 and the mowers $100,000 then you have to factor in all the weed-eaters, herbicides, smaller mowers, and then there is the cost of repairs and maintenance etc, and the cost of all the gear that walks off (employee theft). I know many of us have had farming experience "round here and you know what I'm talking about.
Gov't needs to GET OUT of real estate, tourism, recreation, and health care, let competition in the private sector keep price down and service up.....
yes we need change, back to good ole hard work and clean living.... not change to more government meddling in everything destroying the basic concept of American life......
Posted by NAMVET (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Krogers, it is obvious that you have never heard of Dixie Youth Little League Baseball. You have made all kinds of comments in the past about doing something for the children!! OK, why do you want to charge these kids parents, grandparents, for use of a field that they allready have paid for??? Probably while you were learning Karate most of your friends were at Duncan Park, playing baseball.
What was wrong with that then, or now????
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well then we didn't have a budget crisis with the city borrowing now over $500,000 to make ends meet
and bidding out the grass cutting alone will save $250,000
so it's quite obvious the city cannot afford to provide, free of charge, the ballfields
what is wrong with the players paying a fee to use the field same as golfers and tennis players pay to play and use the golf course and tennis courts. Tennis players pay $120 for six month user fee, or $6 for two to play ONE hour, or $30 for ONE month. My wife and I pay the six month fee. Golfers pay about $20 for 18 holes I think, I don't know exactly, and a cart is more, etc. Why should the ballplayers get a free ride when tennis and golf players pay so much? It's NOT FAIR!! And more than that, it's WRONG to EXPECT a free ride. I know you think our taxes pay for that, but the tax collections are DOWN, we have less people living here than in my whole life. We have less industry here now than ever in my whole life, our economy is smaller than EVER in my whole life!!!
Don't get me wrong, I am happy to pay my fair share and when I was playing tennis yesterday I had a great time, and I was happy to see people using the walking trail as well.. I just threw out that $500 figure, I know that's too much, but why not $100???? or maybe $50???
we're all just going to have to step up and realize that the free ride is OVER, and we all need to make a contribution in the form of user fees if we want to keep up our public recreational facilities. Otherwise we will see the city cut back on the upkeep of these facilities in the future, the funds collected from taxes is not enough, police need more, firemen need more, everything costs MORE, in my opinion there is no other reasonable method to raise the money.
We can't be borrowing money we cannot pay back.
Yes I have heard of Dixie Youth and played baseball as a youngster ,
I enjoyed that and am grateful, but times change, things cost more now, our city is broke and borrowing money to keep operations going, we have to do something different......
I knew a user fee on the ballfields would be unpopular, but this idea must be considered to help the city continue to keep up the fields...
Just like the thugs and criminals pay user fees (fines and penalties) to use the jail,
(that's funny, huh)
you know another alternative would be lease the ball fields out to private management, and then let them manage the fields off of concessions and user fees
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