County would eliminate funding. Town isn't sure it can pick up the tab.
The Onondaga County Legislature is expected to vote Tuesday on a proposed 2011 budget cut that could result in Pratt's Falls Park in Pompey being closed. Pompey, NY - When Onondaga County’s Pratt’s Falls Park closes for the season next month, some residents are wondering if it will reopen next spring.
Their concerns stem from a county budget proposal to eliminate funding next year for all three positions at the park in the town of Pompey.
“I would hate to see this area lose that park,” Pompey Supervisor Carole Marsh said last week.
About 30,000 people are expected to visit the park this year.
The proposed funding cut is part of the county Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee’s recommendation to slice $45.5 million from County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s $1.2 billion spending plan for 2011. County lawmakers are to vote on the amended budget Tuesday.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Casey Jordan said eliminating the three positions at Pratt’s Falls park would save about $215,000 in salaries and benefits, but he said the cuts don’t necessarily mean the park would have to close.
It would be up to county parks Commissioner William Lansley to make that decision, Jordan said. If the positions were cut, Lansley could move other parks employees to Pratt’s Falls or the town of Pompey could pick up all or part of the costs of keeping the park open, Jordan said.
“We’re just trying to find ways to cut this $50 million budget deficit. ... It’s our hope ... that the town essentially would take over the operation of the park,” Jordan said.
The park’s operating budget was $202,132 this year. The funding would increase to $290,230, under Mahoney’s spending plan.
Marsh said she received calls from many Pompey residents suggesting that the town assume running the park if the county bows out. But Marsh said she’s not sure the town could afford to do so.
Pratts Falls is seen through autumn foliage Saturday in Pompey. “We don’t want any increased costs to our residents. We’re all overtaxed,” Marsh said.
Meanwhile, Legislator Robert DeMore, who represents Pompey, said he plans to introduce a resolution Tuesday calling for the restoration of funding for the three park positions. He also plans to form a citizens committee to explore the possibility of having the town run the park.
“I want to keep the park open,” said DeMore, R-Fabius.
DeMore’s plan to try to restore funding for the three park positions drew sharp criticism from Legislature Chairman Jim Rhinehart.
“We had an agreement those positions would go,” Rhinehart said. “Are we going to go down there and restore those positions? I don’t think so.”
Marsh said she’s unsure how much it would cost the town to run Pratt’s Falls, but said she would support doing that as a last resort to keep the park open.
“I absolutely love Pratt’s Falls. ... I don’t think anybody wants to see it closed,” Marsh said.
Contact Scott Rapp at srapp@syracuse.com or 289-4839.