Libraries and parks — Fairfax County’s budgetary pinatas of late — are set to take a beating yet again.
County Executive Anthony Griffin has proposed slashing about 12 percent from each next budget year, continuing a seemingly annual tradition of draining the leisure-time havens.
“We’re taking the greatest hit of all the county agencies,” said Roberta Longworth, executive director of the Fairfax Library Foundation. “It’s ironic in that we’re less than 1 percent of the entire budget. It’s returning us to the library of the ’80s. It’s a shame.”
As so-called discretionary services, the duo is assuming a greater burden than other county agencies in meeting a $257 million budget shortfall, serving as a buffer to more extensive cuts for public safety and schools.
Under the proposal, the county’s library system would shed 81 positions and hundreds of service hours at both regional and community libraries, amounting to $3.4 million in relief for the county.
Library officials say visitors still haven’t adjusted to the cuts imposed this year, forced to peruse empty shelves, endure longer wait lists for books and go it alone thanks to an already dramatic reduction of employees.
“The library is not going to be competitive with other libraries,” Longworth said. “I understand the need for cuts, but we’re Fairfax County — people who live here expect a lot from the community.”
Library systems throughout the region are considering cuts in weekend service, upping late fees and laying off workers to handle similar budget shortfalls.
The lights also would be turned off at 105 tennis, 16 basketball and two volleyball courts, part of a push to shed $2.43 million from the Fairfax County Park Authority’s budget. Athletic field grass would be mowed no more than once per week and 15 park restrooms eliminated.
Harrison Glasgow, vice chairman of the park authority, said the continually dramatic cuts reinforce the notion that parks are nonessential.
“I take exception with that particular label,” he said. “[Griffin] speaks of mandates for public safety and schools. But to describe parks and libraries as discretionary is certainly a budgeteer’s remark, not a county resident’s remark.”
About 17 million people visited county parks and recreation centers last year, he added.
Fairfax supervisors will conduct public hearings in early April and pass the budget by the end of that month.
