QUESTION
Was there an increase in last year's budget for the city's largest swim program, and why was the expansion not realized?
0:27:51
·
48 sec
Despite a proposed $5 million increase, the expansion of the 'Swim for Life' program was canceled due to budget cuts.
- There was a proposal to increase funding by $5 million for the 'Swim for Life' program.
- Due to budget cuts in November, challenging decisions had to be made, impacting the program's expansion.
- The program was new and had no assigned staffing, which meant its cancellation did not involve cutting any employees.
- The fiscal environment was described as challenging, influencing the decision to not proceed with the program.
Shekar Krishnan
0:27:51
But there was an increase in last year's budget that this administration put into the largest swim program, I think.
0:27:58
Right?
Sue Donoghue
0:27:58
Yes.
0:27:59
Absolutely.
0:27:59
And there was a proposal put forward for a $5,000,000 increase for our swim for live program to be able to expand it.
0:28:07
And as part of the the peg cuts in November, all city agencies had to make really difficult COAL DECISIONS IN ORDER TO MEET THAT PEG TARGET.
0:28:17
THE MAYOR HAS SPOKEN ABOUT THE DIVOCAL, THE CHALLENGING FISCAL ENVIRONMENT.
0:28:21
AND SO THE PARKS' Department had to make very difficult decisions, and that was one of them to not proceed forward with that program.
0:28:28
Again, a new program, so it didn't have staffing assigned to it.
0:28:33
It meant that we didn't have to cut people or employees, but it was just a program that we weren't unfortunately able to start.