Lynnwood programs face cuts

LYNNWOOD — Camera in hand, Cammie Cole had plenty of little ghouls and goblins to photograph Friday during a Halloween event at Kids Klub, the city-run preschool.

Of course, she was most interested in her son Landon, 4.

He’s one of the 35 Kids Klub students whose continued attendance in the program is uncertain. Kids Klub is on a list of $1.9 million in proposed cuts to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department.

The Kids Klub’s focus on learning through play, its relatively low cost and the location all work well for her, Cole said.

“It’s heart breaking for families,” she said.

Monday night, Mayor Don Gough is expected to present to the City Council with his preliminary two-year budget for 2011-12.

He’s likely to recommend ways to save as many programs and jobs as possible.

Council members face some tough choices. They’ve been studying ways to close a projected $21.6 million gap between general operating fund revenues and expenses for the two-year cycle. Last month, the city notified 102 employees that their jobs could be eliminated in January.

Programs, too, might have to be cut to balance the budget.

Some of the hardest choices are cuts to programs such as Kids Klub, Lynnwood’s popular softball program, the teen program and the senior center. Losing those programs could save about $700,000, city documents show.

Also targeted are summer programs, including *

Kamp Kookamunga and camp We-Wanna-Go for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, and after-school programs.

Those programs bring in revenue through fees, though none of them breaks even or makes money, said Lynn Sordel, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs director.

Councilman Ed dos Remedios said it makes little sense to cut programs that bring revenue to City Hall.

“If you’re looking at a $21 million deficit, it doesn’t make any sense to look at these smaller programs that may or may not be subsidized by the city budget,” he said Friday.

Councilman Jim Smith told fellow council members at a budget hearing Wednesday that he’s concerned the city is subsidizing a pre-school program that competes with private schools. He suggested the city consider having a nearby church take over the program.

“I think we need to get out of competing with the private sector,” he said.

Wendy Hough, who oversees the city’s youth programs, said Kids Klub offers families a learning environment that accepts people of many faiths and backgrounds, something they might not find in private programs. Her job could be cut from full-time to 30 hours a week.

The softball program has been a Lynnwood hallmark for three decades.

In 2009, it had more men’s, women’s and mixed teams than any slow-pitch recreational league in the state, said Brian Hendricks, recreation supervisor.

The 216 teams that used the diamonds until Sunday, the final day of league play at the Meadowdale Playfields, drew about 4,300 players. The program generates $220,000 in revenue over two years, he said. Hendricks said cuts would have an economic effect on restaurants, taverns and other businesses. And most of the participants aren’t city residents.

Cutting the program, including one full-time and six part-time employees, saves nearly $166,000.

Sordel said he’s also concerned about the future of the teen program. The city has no teen center, but the parks and recreation department’s program offers outings and volunteer options.

About 20 to 35 teens participate in the Lynnwood Teen Advisory Group. The group volunteers around town, helping seniors use computers and with the annual Halloween Boo Fest for kids 5 to 10 years old.

The Teen Adventure Camp schedules winter, spring and summer day trips for teens.

“That age group … they don’t have a lot of options,” Sordel said. “The economy, with the work situation, is tough for them.”

Cuts to teen programs would amount to about $220,000 over two years, said Katie Anderson, deputy parks, recreation and cultural affairs director, whose job is scheduled for elimination.

Seniors, too, might see changes. The council’s considering a proposal that would end the city’s lease of the senior center in the Scriber Square Shopping Center, 5800 198th St. SW near Highway 99. Seniors would move to space in the city’s municipal campus off 44th Avenue W., next to the new, soon-to-open recreation center, Sordel said.

The change is expected to save $171,000 a year, city documents show.

Along with the move, the senior center would lose a full-time employee and some part-time staff.

Sordel said he’s spoken with council members and the mayor about finding ways to avert proposed cuts to the revenue-generating programs.

He said officials are considering the possibility of scaling back full-time benefits for part-time employees that cost the department $70,000 a year. The council approved those benefits in 2008 and they took effect last year.

Those part-time employees include City Council members.

Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429; ohalpert@heraldnet.com.

* Correction:Kamp Kookamunga is not on the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department’s list of potential program cuts.