TERRE HAUTE —
City park officials learned Wednesday at their board meeting that they are going to face deeper budget cuts.
Mayor Duke Bennett attended the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation board meeting, in part to explain recent state demands that the department slash another $292,000 from its budget.
State reviewers of the city’s budget determined that the park cuts, as well as another $70,000 from the cemetery budget, have to occur this year, Bennett said, to the visible disappointment of staff and board members.
“It could have been worse,” he said, noting 2012 represents the nearing end of property-tax-cap cuts. What kind of revenue and budgets will be available from here on out are still unknown, he said. The city has lost about 25 percent of its revenue due to those caps, and the parks department has been one of the hardest hit departments, he added.
Superintendent Eddie Bird said later in the meeting that closure of the swimming pool at Sheridan Park will be under serious study, as will other park properties throughout the city.
Meanwhile, the board granted permission to Grace Baptist Church to apply for a weeklong revival in Spencer Ball Park Sept. 23-29.
Pastor James Haddix said this year marks the North 19th Street church’s 35th anniversary, and the congregation plans to host a tent revival in the park to celebrate.
“Our country and our city have a great need to be called back to Christ, and that’s what we hope to do,” he said, explaining services are planned to begin about 7 p.m. daily throughout the week.
Bird explained that city ordinance requires the park board to formally approve any request for preaching events on the properties.
Bennett said the ordinance is very restrictive, and added he hopes to have its wording changed some time this year. The point of the ordinance, he said, is not to restrict free speech, but rather give the city some degree of control in the case of organizations that might seek to invade the space of others using the park. The parks, he said, routinely serve as spots for church activities, but board approval is required for the application process to commence.
The board unanimously approved the request Wednesday evening and officials said the church will begin providing the necessary insurance documentation this week.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
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