The Eastman-Dodge County Recreation Board held an emergency meeting on Thursday, January 5, 2012 in the Alcoa community building on the campus of the recreation department to discuss funding problems associated with the budget crisis in Dodge County.
At a commissioners meeting held on Tuesday, January 3, Ron White, chairman of the recreation board, addressed the commissioners regarding the lack of funding for the recreation department. He informed the commissioners that the department had not received the December 2011 operations check from the county. White informed the commissioners the recreation department could not pay the bills and meet payroll obligations. He informed the commission board that unless funding was received, he would be forced to call an emergency meeting with the recreation board for the purpose of closing the recreation department due to lack of funding from the county. No action was taken by the commissioners and White then called an emergency meeting.
The emergency meeting notice was posted and by the time of the meeting, a crowd of an estimated 125-concerned citizens were in attendance to gain information as to the developments of the possible closing.
Prior to the called meeting, department director Bodie Gray received a check from the county in the amount of $8,959.54 for part of December’s normal funding of $13,875.00.
White informed those in attendance that the partial payment would cover the immediate payroll needs for three weeks and the light bill.
Discussion was held and many ideas surfaced from the crowd as to possible alternatives to keep the department operating normally but no action was taken on any of the ideas.
A decision was made by the board to have Gray and White attend an Eastman city council meeting to ask for assistance from the city.
On Monday, January 9, Gray and White attended the Eastman city council meeting and asked the city to provide funding to the recreation department. The city council fielded questions to Gray and White regarding the operations and finances of the recreation department. They asked Gray how much he needed from the city and Gray responded, “$2,000.00 per month.”
Citizen Martha Wright, of Eastman, asked Gray, “Why is the audit behind on the recreation department?” Gray replied, “Because the accountant is behind.”
Discussion was held regarding audits and city manager Bea Edge informed council the last completed audit is from 2008. Questions were fielded regarding why the 2009 and 2010 audit is not complete.
White informed the city council, “Unless we receive funding from the county or city, we will be shut down.”
The city council asked Gray and White to provide their budget and all financial information to Edge and a review would be held and they would make a decision on how to proceed.
The Eastman-Dodge County Recreation Department’s budget was cut $16,000.00 overall from prior year 2011.
