HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1323Commissioner Madison said he was on the board when the four -park proposal was
submitted. He said a key component of the proposal was volunteerism and this had occurred
with Stumpy Creek. He said, however, this had not developed in the other areas, and a "strong
volunteer effort" needed to be shown far the initiation of another park.
Chairman Johnson said four parks would cost $400,000 a year -- just in operational
expenses.
Woodie said maintenance costs would decrease, but operational costs would increase.
Chairman Johnson asked the other board members their thoughts on allowing money to
be used to purchase land -- on a matching basis.
Madison this was fine, if there was a support group to keep the project moving.
Woodie said land purchases would provide incentives to the public. He said the citizens
wanted to see something tangible.
Commissioner Williams asked how much money was in the park fund.
Blumenstein said approximately $778,000.00, but this did not include Stumpy Creek's
payback of $100,000.
Madison said that if the land were purchased, the public would then want to know when
the park was going to be built.
A question was then raised about citizen interest in other parts of the county.
Commissioner Norman said the western sector was interested in having a park.
Former county commissioner Alice Stewart asked about the possibility of using SA9
funds to help develop the parks.
Madison said the money was used for annual scholarships, but there might be interest on
the part of the group overseeing the funds. He said the new Statesville park, located in the
eastern part of the city, might lessen the interest in this area.
L. Johnson said many people didn't realize how much volunteerism went into the
creation of the Stumpy Creek Park.
Commissioner Williams said that in the past, the Union Grove Ruritan Club had
expressed an interest in having a park. He said there was also interest in the Harmony area.
Commissioner Madison asked what was prohibiting the staff from approaching citizens
in the Union Grove and Harmony areas to see if they would match the county in the endeavor.
L. Johnson said mini -parks might also be an option in some areas.
Stewart said she was a member of the West Iredell Ruritans, a club that recently retired
its debt, and she would approach the members.
County Manager Mashburn said there might be an interest in the other areas of the
county, if someone approached the residents.
Commissioner Madison reminded everyone that if the land was purchased, it no longer
generated tax revenue. He said he didn't want to see the land acquired, and then just see it grow
up in grass.