By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

MOUNT HEALTHY - Budget cuts could make it a boring summer for some of this city's youngest residents.

City Council discussed three major cuts to recreational services Tuesday that could save as much as $60,000 and help balance the cash-strapped budget.

The cuts - referred to as "nonessential expenditures" by Safety Service Director Jim Koshmider - include the elimination of the summer day camp program and the Fourth of July fireworks, shorter pool hours, and cuts in departmental equipment purchases.

"When you can't pay the rent, you don't go to the movies," said Mayor George Rouse.

The city's revenue estimates are about $180,000 lower than the requested expenditures for 2004. Koshmider said state cuts in local government funds and lower-than-expected local tax revenues have hurt the city.

Officials said they don't like making the cuts, but have little choice.

"I don't like closing the pool for two days ... but it's needed," said Mary Ann Reusch, the council representative on the parks committee. "And then we hopefully will bring it back in the next couple years full force."

The proposal includes closing the pool on Mondays and Tuesdays and shortening hours of operations to noon to 6 p.m. the other days. The pool was built two years ago, replacing a previous one.

Longtime resident Kim Johnson, who once worked as a lifeguard at the pool, said the proposed hours make it unavailable to families with two working parents.

"What do we do? We move or go to a community that accepts kids and families - and I don't think you do anymore," she told council.

The summer day camp program has been in existence for more than 15 years. The typically successful program lost $6,100 last summer.

The city's fireworks display, held on July 3, costs about $7,000.

Park officials expect to receive $44,000 from a community development block grant in 2005 that could help revamp old equipment in the park.

City administration officials will review several suggestions made by Councilman Joe Roetting and provide a proposed budget revision to council March 2.

Roetting's suggestions include moving carryover from special funds into the general fund and a review of personnel.

Officials said the changes wouldn't save the day camp or fireworks, but might help with pool operations. Law requires the budget be submitted to Hamilton County by the end of March.