The City of Toledo Parks and Youth Services’ 2024 budget proposal came under fire during a public city council hearing to review proposed budgets for several city departments.
Introduced by Joe Fausnaugh, director of parks, recreation, and youth services, the proposal includes a reduction in the youth services general fund budget by $51,836, or nearly 16 percent – from the 2023 amended $327,112 to the 2024 proposed $275,276.
Councilmen questioned how well it balances the needs of the public with making budget cuts as federal relief money is about to end.
“It pains me that we cut it. … I think it’s a big miss for this administration that we are not finding funding for education and work force [development] and youth claimants,” Councilman Vanice Williams said.
Councilman Theresa Gadus said she agreed with her colleague and emphasized that youth programs are important and interconnected with other ways to fight violence in the community.
“This, I think, is really important, and it pains me that we cut [these programs] while our experts claim to know how important they are to the health and development of our youth,” Ms. Gadus said.