CLEARFIELD – Wes Weymers, chairman of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority, called the board’s attention to a shortfall in the Curwensville Lake budget at Wednesday’s regular meeting.
Weymers said the shortfall came up at the last meeting of the recreation committee.
“It’s not a bad budget. I think there was a misunderstanding about the number of staff and a lack of adequate numbers from 2007,” he explained.
According to Weymers, the budget resulted in a $30,475 deficit.
“If we keep all projected employees, we’d expend about $73,000,” he said. “We have decisions to make, or we’ll continue to run into huge deficits.”
Board Member Gene Kephart said the CCRTA wants to keep the park “aesthetically pleasing” and have the staff to do so.
“I think our two goals are conflicting with each other here,” he said.
After an executive session for personnel reasons, the board opted to eliminate positions, including the lifeguard staff and a maintenance assistant position. The park manager‘s hours were also cut.
Weymers said the authority would only hire one individual to staff the admission booth to the park through the week.
“It’s going to be on a honor system but will be manned on weekends and holidays,” he said.
Due to the new honor system, the once weekday admission fee becomes likened to a donation. The board plans to request a $2 donation on the admission box.
“We’re going to rely heavily on the honesty and integrity of the park’s users,” Weymers said.
He said the budget is back to where it should be and doesn’t need to be reopened. “It’s already been approved.”
Kephart said the staff elimination and reduction was a difficult process.
“It wasn’t something we wanted to do,” he said.