news-record.com

Penny-pinchers at the legislature took a good look at 39 state parks and recreation areas, 23 historic sites, 11 museums, three aquariums and the zoo and found potential savings of $1.9 million.

Nearly $2 million isn't exactly small change, but spread across a vast system of natural and cultural attractions that serve millions of people, it almost amounts to pennies. The limited potential for savings identified by the legislature's Program Evaluation Division really indicates that these assets are effectively managed and that care should be taken before politicians make cuts -- or deeper cuts, because their budgets already have been trimmed.

Nevertheless, the PED recommended further nips and tucks. One example: Close the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Memorial near Sedalia on Mondays. More severely, it suggested closing the Museum of the Albemarle and the Richard Caswell Memorial and suspending services at state parks during winter months.

State agencies raised valid objections to some of these proposals. The Museum of the Albemarle is an important attraction in downtown Elizabeth City, the Department of Cultural Resources said. But it acknowledged that closing the Caswell facility in Kinston is likely once the CSS Neuse, a Confederate ironclad, is relocated as planned. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources noted that some visitors enjoy winter access to parks for cross-country skiing and watching migratory birds, and curtailing their access would be unwise.

The PED report evaluated potential partial privatization of the N.C. Zoo and aquariums and recommended further study. Here, DENR concurred.

"Zoos and aquariums across the country have been adopting a public-private partnership in which government retains ownership and provides a set amount of operating funds for the facility, which is then reorganized into a private nonprofit organization to operate the site, generate additional revenues and raise private funds for capital improvements," the department responded. It noted -- as the News & Record reported last year -- that the zoo staff already is investigating the possible benefits.

The PED report provides valuable information. It not only shows how much each state property costs and how much revenue each generates but also the net cost per visitor. For some, that amount is high: more than $29 for the Caswell memorial, and a similar amount for Haw River State Park. The report includes explanations: Haw River is a relatively new park, and an education center was under construction during the time reviewed. These costs also don't account for the economic value that parks, historic sites and museums provide for nearby communities. Still, savings through better management are possible almost anywhere.

What's really remarkable, however, is how little many facilities cost taxpayers once the revenue they take in is counted. Chimney Rock State Park is a moneymaker. Nine parks or heritage sites are listed as costing taxpayers less than a dollar per visitor.

Yes, costs probably could be cut or fees increased to eliminate even those expenses, but that's really pinching pennies.