Decatur County approves up to $200,000 from Build Decatur County fund for ball-diamond project, asks for repayment plan

Decatur County Council and the commissioners voted to commit up to $200,000 from the Build Decatur County fund to complete construction of the back four ball diamonds at the county complex, with the condition that a repayment schedule be worked out and revisited before December.

The motion, made by Kenny Hooton and seconded by Ernie (second's last name not specified on the record), passed in a roll-call vote: Deanna Barker — Aye; Arnie Dowk — Yes; Kenny Hooton — Yes; Ashley Hunde — Yes; Bill Metz — Yes; Rick Nobby — Yes; Danny Peters — No. The motion text approved funding “up to $200,000” from the Build Decatur County fund for the project and required a repayment plan to be determined by December.

Why it matters: County officials and the project team said delaying the work would raise costs and potentially jeopardize agreed tournament commitments. Project representatives said the current shortfall was roughly $221,000–$222,000 but expected the final cost could fall nearer to $200,000 as some items come in under budget. The county’s Build Decatur County fund balance was stated at about $281,200 at the time of discussion.

Discussion and conditions: Presenters described a signed five-year contract with a tournament operator that commits to bringing at least 15 tournaments per year for five years, which county staff said increases the economic case for completing the back four diamonds now. Staff also outlined a plan to stage construction to preserve playing capacity: using six diamonds and partnering with Kohler Park and Greensburg High School for practices while the remaining work is completed.

Commissioners and council members pressed for safeguards. Several members supported approving the funding now provided the county and the project establish a formal repayment schedule; one member said they opposed using local income tax or Build fund dollars without a clear payback plan. The motion as approved requires the repayment approach to be revisited and agreed before December.

Project details and operations: Presenters described revenue streams the complex expects to generate (entry fees, diamond rental and concessions) and said concessions and gate fees will be managed more formally, moving to point-of-sale systems and online reservations to improve accountability. They estimated the project’s net-return horizon at roughly six to seven years based on current projections but said first-year figures would be a learning year and that exact revenues were not yet finalized.

Next steps: County staff will work with the commissioners to draft a repayment schedule and return to the council by December. Construction scheduling will proceed so that turf installation and related work can begin to meet tournament timelines if funding commitments hold.