Marion City Council discusses sports complex
It was one of those discussions of who should be responsible for what.
Marion Recreation Commission Director Margo Yates asked the Marion City Council Monday for financial assistance to make improvements and repairs at the city's baseball/softball complex.
City administrator David Mayfield said he believed the city was responsible for maintenance and upkeep, but not improvements.
Yates said dirt work on B field had to be completed for safety sake before the next season. A concrete pad for a picnic shelter and bathroom improvements would have to wait.
The city contributes $17,000 annually to the board, but Yates said those funds are used for salaries. Otherwise, a booster organization raises funds for other expenses.
The board currently has $24,000 of funds available but Yates said it is not available for these improvements. She added that the board should not be penalized for having a "good budget."
Yates also believed the city should be responsible for the bathrooms which need to be handicapped accessible.
Mayfield said he should have received this information in June when the 2007 budget was being planned. Yates responded she had visited with him about the improvements and he said the funds would come from the capital improvement fund and wouldn't need to be a part of the budget plans.
Mayor Martin Tice suggested the REC commission develop a five-year plan and designate the items it would be willing to contribute.
