Public N.C. facilities cut back on spending but not services

Despite uncomfortable belt-tightening at state-run sites on the Outer Banks, the public will, for now, be spared cuts in services and programs.

Earlier this month, Gov. Mike Easley directed all state agencies to slice 5 percent off their fiscal 2008- 09 budgets. He left it up to each agency head where to cut.

Easley had asked for 2 percent cuts in September. The latest budget shrinkage is inclusive of that amount.

"Our goal is if you come back to the park today, or if come in January, you're going to have the same experience you would have had if you came in August," said Scott Stroh, executive director of Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo.

None of the 37 full-time and 14 temporary staff positions has had to be eliminated, Stroh said. Hours and fees at the park, which includes an art gallery, museum, settlement site and the Elizabeth II ship, will remain the same.

Stroh said the park was ahead of the curve by the time the governor's request came in because it already had a strategic recession budgeting process in place for its fiscal 2008- 09 $2.2 million budget. That way, purchases were made and projects prioritized with the potential of a shrinking spending plan in mind.

"We've been proactive," he said. "That's put us in a strong, stable position to deal with the cuts."

Performances at the site by the North Carolina School of the Arts and the North Carolina Symphony, he said, are expected to be continued as usual in the summer.

George Barnes, the superintendent of Jockey's Ridge state park in Nags Head, said the park has pared down to all but what is needed for emergencies or safety.

"We're not buying much of anything, if anything at all," he said. "I had a whole big, long equipment list, and we only got approved for one thing."

Although Jockey's Ridge is expected by December to come close to last year's 1.5 million visitors - the highest visitation in the state's parks - its fiscal 2008- 09 budget is a modest $509,500.

Barnes said the Friends of Jockey's Ridge provides support for interpretative programming and exhibits, and there are no plans to decrease the nine full-time and eight seasonal positions at the park. Supplies have been trimmed, but Jockey's Ridge had started out with even tighter finances and is accustomed to skimpy funds.

"We were getting an appropriation, but there wasn't much to it," Barnes said. "For a long time, it was pretty tough."

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras also is acclimated to surviving on a shoestring. It has three full-time staff members and an annual budget of $297,000. The impact of a percentage cut is not too dramatic, said Executive Director Joseph Schwarzer.

Schwarzer is more worried about the $408,000 appropriation for museum construction costs.

"We already have it; the question is if it's going to be frozen," he said. "Right now, it's still available."

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will make cuts by taking a little from different pots, but Director Joe Malat said staff - 39 full-time and about 25 temporary positions, exhibits, fees and hours will not be affected.

Malat said $159,000 has been cut from its fiscal 2008- 09 budget of $3.2 million.

"I wouldn't say it's business as usual, but as far as the public is concerned, they're not going to see any impact in the programming or any services we provide," he said.

Schools and roads, however, will not escape the budget crunch.

The Dare County Board of Education has to return $189,111 of its $27 million discretionary budget to the state by Dec. 19.

Finance Officer Anna McGinness said there has not been any decision where the cuts will be made, but she said the downturn in fuel costs has provided a welcome cushion.

"I would continue to look at trying to save through efficiency and making sure we cover our needs as opposed to our wants," she said. "Hopefully, we'll have a mild winter."

McGinness said whatever pain there will be will come later.

"We're not looking at any cuts in current programs," she said. "We're going to absorb it somehow with our local dollars. It will be made up next year."

Road and bridge projects have not yet been affected, said Jerry Jennings, state Department of Transportation acting division engineer.

But it's possible, he said, that some projects in Division 1 scheduled in the state Transportation Improvement Program will be put off.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there will be delays in some TIP projects," he said. "I know that's currently being looked at."

He does not expect the controversial Bonner Bridge project to be pushed back.

The NCDOT has a hiring freeze, travel is restricted and new equipment purchases have been deferred, Jennings said. Other cost cuts may include secondary road construction and landscaping beautification projects.

Jennings said maintenance will remain a top priority, including erosion control measures. Projects that are under way will not be stopped.

"Any project that has reached the point of construction where contracts have been awarded," he said, "those are moving forward, certainly."

Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com