Decatur County approves $100,000 EDIT addition for ball-diamond renovation and $25,000 for fairgrounds fundraising

Decatur County Council members voted to approve two separate amendments to county funding for the Greensburg fairgrounds on May 20, 2025: a $100,000 addition from the county's EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) funds for the ball-diamond renovation and a $25,000 increase to the READY ARPA funds to pay for fundraising materials and promotional items.

The amendments were presented to the council by a county staff member identified in the meeting as Dan, who described the $25,000 as an addition to the READY ARPA "ready" portion for promotional and fundraising materials. Dan said, "We've already contracted with Daniel Fayette to do a promotional video, and this way we can also fund the handouts, display boards, other things like that so that we can do the fundraising part of the ready grant." He told the council the READY line previously held $31,000 and the $25,000 addition raises that portion to $56,000.

Why it matters: The presenter framed the measures as investments to sustain momentum at the fairgrounds and to ensure contractors can be paid so work continues. He provided a funding summary for the ball-diamond project and economic-impact figures to support the request: "If the project stays on budget...the total price of the project is a little over 1,700,000.0 with the addition of the 100,000 and the, edit plan...That would put us at $1,750,000." He also said the county has seen large weekend attendance for tournaments and estimated "about 3,500 people" across the first five tournaments and concession sales "over $35,000 for those first 5 weeks."

Most important details: The council recorded voice votes to approve both items during the meeting. A motion to add $100,000 from EDIT to complete the back four ball diamonds was approved by voice vote. A separate motion to add up to $25,000 for advertising and fundraising materials to the READY ARPA line was moved and approved by voice vote.

Discussion and context: Dan described multiple revenue and funding sources pledged to the ball-diamond project (as reported in his presentation): ARPA contributions, city TIP funds, RDC contributions, parks department funds and other county allocations. He said the county's economic development balance was $3,727,127.48 as of May 20, 2025. Council members and staff discussed logistics including advertising requirements and whether larger READY/ARPA transfers previously discussed (a $2,000,000 increase mentioned by Dan) were before the council that day; Dan clarified the larger $2,000,000 increase had been voted elsewhere and "is not before you today." Another staff member noted certain transfers must be advertised before formal action.

Concerns and operational notes: Council members asked practical questions about parking, reservations and the reservation portal for local teams; the presenter and others discussed that some operational issues remain a work in progress. Council members emphasized the goal of capturing momentum from the tournaments to secure additional sponsors and visitation.

Next steps and implementation: The budget amendments were approved at the meeting and the presenter said the funds would be used immediately for fundraising materials and to complete the ball-diamond renovation work. The presenter noted some earlier-authorized funds for the project had not yet been spent and that READY funds can reimburse the county for outlays once state READY funds arrive.

Ending: Council members approved the two funding amendments by voice vote and thanked staff for the presentation. The presenter and staff indicated they would proceed with the planned expenditures under the approved appropriations and return with updates as work continues.