Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon delivered the news to the department's recreation advisory committee today in a meeting called by its chairman, Ed Liverman.

Liverman requested the department provide detailed information on how the recent operating and capital budget, coupled with theater responsibilities, would impact the department.

The adult programs that will not be held include softball, basketball and kick ball. The softball program includes the open women's, the men's industrial and the co-ed church leagues.

The adult softball leagues were to start in the next coming weeks while the basketball league was to start in January and the kickball league in the fall.

The department will continue to hold all children's leagues, Simeon said following the meeting.

The decision to suspend the adult programs comes as the rec department contends with the requested position of a T.J. Davis supervisor not being funded in this fiscal year's capital budget, a position that has been frozen for four years, Simeon said.

To fill the gap left by the freezing of this position, the department has been using its building maintenance supervisor to run the leagues.

That arrangement, Simeon said, “Was originally set for a band-aid for us to get through difficult times until the T.J. Davis supervisor position was funded.”

Simeon said using the maintenance supervisor in this capacity takes away from the maintenance duties.

While there are two other full-time positions at T.J. Davis, putting the supervisory positions on them takes away from their duties as well, Simeon said.

Before the T.J. Davis supervisor hiring freeze, it was that person's responsibility and job description to administer adult athletics as well as supervise youth athletics and all programs within the T.J. Davis facility, Simeon said.

Liverman said before the start of the meeting, he called it to, “Talk about the concerns with a decrease in budget numbers.”

Liverman said he had a meeting with City Manager Joseph Scherer to encourage him, “To find some money and help the budget out.”

City Councilwoman Carol Cowen, who serves as city liaison to the advisory committee, said the suspension of the adult athletic programs may serve as a jolt to the community. “Sometimes you have to hit the things that are really popular to get the attention of the community. The wants and needs were way past what the budget was. We're going to have to have a tax increase just to maintain. It's something we're trying not to do and something we don't want to do, but something's got to give.”

Programs like the ones being cut and the many improvements and repairs needed are programs that impact quality of life, advisory committee member Todd Lockamon said. “If we want to grow we have to have quality of life.”

When asked if the budget cuts within the department could have a future impact on any of the city's parks, Simeon said he couldn't answer that without research.

“Those are very serious implications,” Liverman said. “Nobody on this board wants to close a park.”

Committee member David Dean said he understands the position the department is in. “Everyone is going through tough times. Before I joined this committee I didn't know how much you took care of.”

Cowen said next year more people have to get involved when it is time for the budget public hearing. “It would be nice if it was more than zero. Things get passed because the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You all need to be vocal in the community and board meetings.”