Residents urge board to restore parks and library funds as budget questions mount

Multiple residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to urge the board to reinstate parks and recreation funding and to question specific budget line items and transparency.

Linda Rumbaugh (Bridal Drive) proposed a compromise allocation to keep parks programming: “Give 4,000 to the library… to parks and rec,” she said, urging the board to split available funds rather than eliminate parks programming entirely.

Craig Rumbaugh (Burrell Drive) raised several specific budget questions, asking the board to investigate possible debt restructuring tied to the police building (which he said represents about 2.9% of the budget), the apparent size of the workers’ compensation line (he noted the budget shows roughly $310,000 or 3.6% and compared that to a state average), a listed “community developer” salary that he could not identify, fleet maintenance costs totaling about $127,000, and a $25,000 revenue line for police contracts with Walmart and Tanger Outlets.

Resident John Flower defended parks programming and urged supervisors to reinstate the $10,000 allocation for parks and recreation, saying it represents modest per-resident spending and is worthwhile for community visibility and goodwill.

Residents also asked for an accounting of money spent after the budget was reopened; staff said they would compile bills and provide that information at a future meeting. Board members reiterated that reverting to the previously approved December budget does not automatically restore individual program spending without separate board action or appropriation.

The public comments underscored local concern about service reductions and called for clearer documentation of budget line items and spending.