Religious organizations will soon take over maintenance of several Cincinnati playgrounds.

        City Council voted 8-1 Wednesday for a plan that reserves $80,240 slated for hiring two facility maintenance workers while contracts are negotiated with a local church to take over care for at least nine inner-city playgrounds.

        Councilman Phil Heimlich said Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship has expressed interest in doing the work.

        The decision outraged the city's municipal employees union, which called it another attempt to privatize local government while taking away promotional opportunities for workers.

        “To do it on the backs of union people isn't the way,” said Yodie Mitchell, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1543. “They didn't even give us an opportunity to discuss it.”

        Mr. Heimlich, who pushed the issue, said he first brought it up three years ago.

        “This puts us on the cutting edge of what President Bush has spearheaded,” Mr. Heimlich said. Mr. Bush wants to pay faith-based organizations to provide a wide range of government services. “I believe this will save the taxpayers money.”

        “It seems to me that we've had a lot of inner-city playgrounds fall into disrepair,” Mayor Charlie Luken said. “It doesn't lay off anybody.”

        Councilwoman Alicia Reece, the lone no vote, said union officials should be given a chance to discuss the impacts. She also said it would eliminate two full-time jobs.

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