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Minutes of a Meeting of the North Olmsted Parks and Recreation Commission October 6, 2008 Director was sure everyone notices this at home as well. The water bills are high – we have no explanation why. We pulled all the bills because we don’t know if they’re not doing meter; if they’re not doing actual readings or if they’re doing estimates or what. We have no explanations. Coming out of the block to share: we were up almost $2,000 for the first bill; a little over $3,000 by the time the second bill came through; and almost $4,000 year-to-date so far from last year to this year. We budgeted more in each of the line items for water and gas and electric than we did the prior year, and we’re still not even close. Electric was the only one we held close on, and that didn’t fall apart until July. Our August electric bill last year was $12,600; this year it was $28,000. So, we’re going to be looking at all of our expense line items here and see what we can forego to get this budget back in balance. We’ll work with Finance this week and probably next week because Leslie’s out of the office, but we will be working with them to see what we need to do to balance our budget. Mr. DiSalvo asked if any other departments were running into this problem. Mr. Dailey replied that Police or Fire, so they’re looking to see what they can do. Another place is the Senior Center as well as the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Utilities are just a killer this year. It’s a bit of a disappointment, because he felt the Rec was doing well all year with expenses and revenues; then, when we started to look deeply into the utilities and costs for this year, it takes the wind out of your sails. Now, we’ll just go back and cut some areas to make sure we balance out, even though the Recreation Department is doing well. Mr. DiSalvo said he has no idea where to cut. Mr. Groden said that, at the last meeting, Mr. Dailey talked about possibly closing down the Rec Center on Sundays and asked if the utilities increase made it more likely that that will happen. Mr. Dailey said he thinks so, as we look to next year; however, the cuts will be minor. Obviously, the Ice Rink will be up and running, which is the biggest drain on the system. The small costs in labor for what we bring in on those days from June through August will bring about the close-down. This will be discussed with the Mayor on Wednesday of this week. Mr. DiSalvo said that, typically on Sundays during the summer, the income doesn’t offset the expenses. Mr. Dailey said that the maintenance men will be at the Park working the ball fields, however. Mr. Baxter asked if there were separate meters for the utilities. Mr. Dailey said that no, that was one of the biggest problems at the Rec Center, so we don’t know what cost center uses what. Mr. DiSalvo said it covers the entire Rec Department. The Budget Mr. Dailey reported that at the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, there will be more on the Budget for 2009. Mr. Groden asked if there were any more questions or comments for the Community Life Services Director. There being none, this concluded the report of the Community Life Services Director. Page 4