After deciding to abandon the state grant awarded in 2006 for a county park and recreation director, the Hawkins County Board of Commissioners voted yesterday to appoint fellow Commissioner and Park and Rec Board Chairman, Kenneth Long, as Parks Supervisor.
Long has been supervising renovations at Laurel Run and St. Clair Parks since former director Ernie Marshall resigned last November.
Long will receive $958 a month in compensation.
The grant, on the other hand, would have required the county to fund the park and rec. director’s position beginning in July or August of 2008-through July 2009 at a cost of approximately $45,000.
Citing a tight upcoming budget year and considering the renovation of parks (which has been funded by a separate 25k/25k grant) is incomplete, Long doesn’t feel the position or the expense is necessary.
However, Commissioner Shane Bailey pointed out abandoning the grant could compromise the county’s chances at obtaining future funding.
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Tennessee Parks Department representative April Johnson appeared at the meeting and somewhat concurred with Bailey. She explained that grants are awarded based on a points system and failing to fulfilling the requirements of the three-year contract will cost Hawkins County points with regard to future grant applications.
Johnson also told commissioners, although the county won’t be required to repay the full grant, they will need to reimburse the state for approximately $1735 used for a computer and other equipment to help establish Marshall’s office.
The commission voted 15-5 in favor of ditching the grant and hired Long in a final vote of 13-6 w/one abstention. (Long, who initially attempted to vote in favor of his own appointment, later changed his vote to abstention.)
Now while I certainly understand the need to eliminate unnessary spending as I imagine we will see some steep increases coming from the school system and the sheriff’s department – due to rising fuel costs — I do not understand why the Park Board couldn’t oversee the renovation and maintenance of the two county parks without creating a position.
Overall, the county will pay Long an estimated $11,500 annually. Adding the amount due to the state: the county saved around $32,750. Double this amount could be lost in grant monies: which is bad news for the aging courthouse and the local preservationist, who were planning to twist the Commission’s arm until they applied for funding to repair the structure.
You know, who would’ve thought Shane Bailey would be the voice of reason on the county commission?
Jeff Bobo with the Times-News has the entire story + video report here.
