BOISE -- The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation director told legislative budget writers she aims to cut her fiscal year 2011 budget by $5.1 million in state funds, in part by eliminating 25 jobs at agency headquarters.
Nancy Merrill also told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee she's pursuing alternative plans for some of the state's 30 parks and believes her agency is nearing an agreement with Clearwater County officials to take over Dworshak State Park in northcentral Idaho.
Similar agreements are an option for Thousand Springs and Land of the Yankee Fork state parks, too.
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter originally proposed eliminating her agency, but worked out a deal with Merrill two weeks ago to keep it intact, as long as it reduced its budget.
Merrill told the panel Monday, "We have proposed that we begin the process of weaning ourselves from the general fund. It will be painful."
Sen. Dean Cameron, a Rupert Republican, told Merrill, "I appreciate your efforts and stepping into the breach."
