Post Falls park and rec funding idea blasted

POST FALLS - Funding for the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department is staying put.

The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night approved a $14.8 million fiscal 2009-10 General Fund budget that doesn't include a property tax increase.

The public hearing on the budget centered on resident Barry Rubin's proposal to create a "pay as you go" funding system for parks and recreation because he believes the department is a "non-essential" service during tough times.

"I'm not putting down the service that parks and rec provides," he said. "But the use of parks and rec is voluntary. People choose to do this. All I'm asking for is that taxpayers get their value. Let's keep this on a business basis."

But a youth coach, parents, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Fair and the entire council opposed the proposal, saying the department's activities create community, generate a lot of volunteers, give all children opportunities and keep kids out of trouble.

"Without parks and recreation, many children wouldn't have a place to go, which would create a lot more work for the police department," Councilwoman Betty Ann Henderson said.

Coach Michael Wolf said the activities provide opportunities for kids with disabilities.

"When you see an autistic kid take the ball away from another kid with a smile on his face, I don't think you can put a dollar value on that," said Wolf, fighting back tears.

Rubin said it was obvious that he had been "Pearl Harbored" with a campaign in opposition to his idea based on the emotional testimonies and that the discussion veered from dollars and cents. He also presented the idea at an earlier meeting.

The General Fund budget is about $630,000 less than the current budget and $3 million less than in 2009.

The city also did not tap into its foregone tax balance to build the budget.

City Administrator Eric Keck said the city is shopping for lower insurance costs to keep the budget without a tax hike.

"I'm thrilled that this budget does not include any tax increase," Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson said. "There was a huge amount of work, blood, sweat and tears that went into this by the staff."

A hiring and merit pay freeze remains in effect.

The largest ongoing budget expenditure is $193,919 for street sealing and maintenance.

In other business, the council tabled a proposal to create an urban renewal district around the Idaho Veneer plant.

The Malloy family said the lumber business has struggled like many others and that a future mixed-use development is the best use for the property.

Conceptual plan boundaries presented differed from those approved in July by the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency and created confusion on what was being proposed.

The council agreed to hold a joint meeting to be determined with the URA and, if possible, the Malloys to develop a firm proposal.

Len Crosby, former URA chairman, and multiple council members agreed that the area north of Interstate 90, including Walgreens and Super 1 Foods, and the area occupied by Trading Company Stores, should not be part of the district because those sites are not "deteriorated."

Crosby, however, said he would support the plan if it is limited to the Idaho Veneer property and the immediate surrounding areas.