Job cuts, higher fees may be coming for Dayton's rec services

Staff changes will lower costs, but parents will likely pay more for uniforms and supplies.

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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 3:25 AM Thursday, December 3, 2009

DAYTON — City leaders are considering a plan to abolish 11 supervisor jobs in the Department of Recreation and Youth Services, while creating nine facility manager jobs at a lower rate of pay.

The midpoint difference in salary between the positions is about $7,000.

“We had to lower the cost of delivering service in order to prevent the cost of fees from increasing,” said LaShea Smith, the city’s interim director of Recreation and Youth Services. “The reduction in (salary) comes with a reduction in responsibilities.”

The Dayton City Commission heard 2010 budget proposals Wednesday, Dec. 2, from the Department of Youth Services, Building Services and the Convention Center, a self-supporting division that receives no general fund money.

Smith said residents will see an increase in recreation services as a result of the department’s reorganization plan, despite a $557,000 budget cut. Burkhardt and Stuart Patterson recreation centers would close Jan. 1 as part of Smith’s plan. The Westwood and Ellison center are slated to be closed later in 2010.

Renovations to the Lohrey and Northwest recreation centers will be finished by late January. The city’s RecPlex, under construction on West Third Street, should open next fall.

“We will have a newness to our recreation facilities that we have not had in 30 years,” Smith said.

Participation fees overall won’t go up, but fees for travel, uniforms and supplies will increase. “This means parents will have to pick up additional costs for kids to participate,” Smith said. Facility rental fees also are expected to increase next year.

Budget presentations continue Dec. 9. The Commission is expected to vote on a final budget in early 2010.

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