BREC, the Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation Commission, is reducing its workforce by 10% to improve efficiency and better serve the community. Janet Simmons, the interim director, said the focus is on removing redundant positions and strengthening operations, not just cutting costs.
“Some roles overlap, and our goal is to make jobs more effective, not just reduce payroll,” Simmons explained. About 46 positions have already been addressed, and the rest are expected to be finalized by January 31. Supervisors are conducting desk audits to ensure that essential positions remain in place.
Simmons highlighted recent efforts to streamline services. For example, BREC outsourced aquatics management to CELA, a company that provides trained lifeguards at city pools. This change allows facilities like Liberty Lagoon to open earlier, offering better access for the community…