Clarkson officials don’t expect
recreation budget to affect taxes

While Clarkson is still in the planning stages of its 2003 budget, Supervisor Paul Kimball said he doesn’t expect to see a tax increase because of the increased recreation budget.

"Our overall recreation budget is $20,000," he said. "We anticipate this to be a one time expense… sort of a bump in the road." He said he expects the 2004 recreation budget to be at the current levels of the 2002 budget or less. "That’s our goal."

The anticipated $20,000 increase is in addition to the $36,000 Clarkson formerly contributed to the Joint Recreation Committee.

Kimball said town officials are working towards a no-tax increase for the coming year. "We have to finalize the numbers but the way they look right now there is no increase," he explained. "Whether or not the board accepts the budget as presented or chooses to add other things that could create an increase will be decided when the budget is presented."

Clarkson resident Lisa Rivera recently hosted a meeting at her home to discuss the money being spent on the Community Center. She mailed more than 1,200 invitations for the meeting. Approximately 14 people showed up to voice their concerns on the proposed recreation budget increases. "It looks like our recreation program budget will increase because of the community center," Rivera said. "Paul (Kimball) said the figure is larger because some funds will go toward revamping the building."

Rivera voiced concerns that the new facility, and its programs, will take away from the existing programs – namely ones that are operated at other area businesses that cater to children’s programs. "I know they took the stage out of the community center to increase the size of the gym and by doing so the Brockport Community Players or other arts groups don’t have the extra stage," Rivera said.

Increases in fees for participation in recreation programs is an idea being talked about to help make the Community Center self supporting. "Raising fees doesn’t mean it will be self sufficient," Rivera said. "It just means that less people will be able to afford it."

One of the main complaints Rivera said was that the process of the recreation center was supposed to consist of a study to see if the programs would be feasible. "There was no study… there was no process," she said. "That is what is upsetting to people."

The programs being questioned were those that have been undertaken at the new Community Center that is housed in the site of the former Golden Heights building.

Note: Readers can also refer to an article prepared by the Community Center oversight committee printed in this issue on page 29.