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Eastern Delaware County JRD Seeks Consultants, Insurance Quotes as It Crafts Market Study
Summary
The Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District reported early‑stage work on needs assessment and market analysis, director recruitment and insurance; city council signaled support and will consider a budget appropriation to fund the JRD.
Bernie Coie, vice chair of the Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District, updated the Sunbury City Council on Aug. 6 about the JRD’s early planning steps, including hiring consultants for a community needs assessment, obtaining directors-and‑officers insurance quotes and drafting a budget request.
Coie said the JRD has met monthly, has solicited proposals from consultants to perform a market analysis and community needs assessment, and has obtained two quotes for directors‑and‑officers liability insurance while seeking a third. He described the effort as “in its infancy” and said the target of delivering a report by October is now not viable because proposal responses have been slower than expected.
Several speakers urged broader outreach to neighboring townships that are not yet part of the district. An unnamed resident suggested revisiting Kingston and Trenton townships to encourage participation so funding and access could be more uniform across the Big Walnut local school district area; the council’s administration cautioned that prior ballot efforts had failed in some southern parts of the school district that identify more closely with adjoining communities.
City Administrator Daryl Hennessy told the council that an ordinance for a budget appropriation to fund the JRD appears on the agenda later in the meeting and that the city will support the district’s funding request. Hennessy and other council members praised the JRD’s structured approach, saying a phased needs assessment and market study will help determine financing options and membership models before making policy or funding commitments.
Coie said the JRD’s short‑term tasks include securing a third insurance quote, reviewing consultant proposals and developing a budget for the next year once those costs are known. He also said the JRD is aware of overlap with other local services and is trying to avoid duplication.
No formal council action to join additional townships or to authorize permanent funding occurred at the meeting; councilors asked staff to remain engaged with the JRD and to bring back budget information once the district provides cost estimates.
