[star]The American Mind[star]

May 28, 2006

Milwaukee's Parks Problems

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an article about the fiscal troubles with the Milwaukee parks system. Blame Tom Ament for putting county employee pensions and benefits ahead of maintaining the parks. This is how bad it's gotten:

Consider: Though parks staffing has fallen by two-thirds since 1986, fringe benefit payments have nearly doubled the last 10 years and are now at $6.5 million of a $37 million parks budget. The hypergenerous pension and sick-leave deal of 2000-'01 and skyrocketing retiree health insurance costs factor in.

The problem isn't too few taxes. Milwaukee residents are taxed way too much. The problem is irresponsible past decisions that are hanging around the necks of County Executive Scott Walker and the County Board.

There's mention of closing down little-used pools, opening waterparks to increase revenue, renting out space to business and special events, and increasing private donations. I'd feel more sympathy with Parks Director Sue Black but Fox 6 news reported last night there was free admission yesterday to the Cool Waters waterpark in Greenfield Park. Yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far. There was no need to get people out to the park. That was a lost opportunity to get some much-needed revenue.

"County Parks Sinking Fast"

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Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:54 AM | Comments (5)