Finance Friday – Smart Restructuring of Youth Services

Published on August 11, 2023

Nobody faces a steeper climb than Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs (PRCA) when it comes to saving money while preserving services. This is a department currently running on a nearly $14 million budget. The proposal for the fiscal year 2024 budget reduces that amount by almost $2 million. If approved by the Gainesville City Commission, PRCA would take a 14 percent budget cut.

This is a substantial change for a department that hosts some of the City’s most popular and public-facing traditions. What would Gainesville be without Sparks in the Park, the Free Fridays Concert Series, or the Holiday Tree Lighting? Through belt-tightening in other areas, funding was allocated for all of these.

But identifying cost-saving measures in the department’s day-to-day functions is even more challenging. PRCA runs youth camps, athletic activities and after-school programs that encourage learning, build character and promote life skills. Children and families depend on these. Any cutbacks would be deeply felt.

After a great deal of analysis, PRCA has found a solution. The department has proposed a budget that keeps all youth services and programs while cutting the cost by $500,000. It comes through smart restructuring that folds the Youth Services division into the Recreation division. The two divisions were already working closely together, so combining them is a natural fit.

This move does something else; it infuses the work and spirit of youth services throughout the department. That will allow PRCA to make more staff available for those important programs. PRCA will increasingly work with nonprofits and community partners to provide staff training while offering additional support for youth and families. Enhanced programming will be the result.

The goal is to spend less without eliminating service. It is an example of the difficult choices that drive the budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 in the City of Gainesville.

Find more information about the City of Gainesville budget process and timeline.