Summer youth programs cut as St. Cloud balances budget
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com

ST. CLOUD -- The St. Cloud parks department is taking a hit, as the city continues to tighten it's belt. 

Some summer programs have been cut, in an effort to save $135,000 this year, and another $183,000 next year.
 
Mayor Dave Kleis says he resisted making the cuts the past two years, but they couldn't put it off any longer.   He says once they found out how much Local Government Aid they would be getting from the state, they knew they'd have to make the cuts.

Kleis says the cuts will be at the Heritage Nature Park Center, and some other playground programs. 

One full-time position has been eliminated, that person has been offered another job with the city. The St. Cloud parks department has 85 part-time summer employees.