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White County committees start process to hire parks and recreation director, authorize grant-seeking to cover costs
Summary
Parks committee directed staff to begin recruiting for a part-time parks and recreation director with a plan to make the position full-time in the next budget year; the county executive was authorized to seek grants to offset salary costs.
White County's Parks and Recreation Committee voted to begin the process of creating and recruiting for a parks and recreation director position. The committee approved starting the search for a part-time director who would transition to a full-time director in the next fiscal-year budget, and it authorized the county executive to look for grants that could help pay for the position.
The proposal comes after committee members said parks have seen more activity, including a Frisbee golf course that attracts out-of-state players and other community events. Committee members said the county has a master plan and available grants but lacks staff to pursue applications and to coordinate tournaments, field maintenance and several new programs.
Committee member Derek Cushing (Parks and Recreation Committee member) moved to "start looking for a part time director now, possibly, and or a full time director" and to include the role in next year's budget; the motion passed by voice vote. Another motion authorized the county executive, Denny Wayne, to begin seeking grants to help pay for the director position; that motion also carried.
Why it matters: Committee members said the county needs a point person to maintain fields, coordinate tournaments and pursue grants tied to the parks master plan. Members discussed starting the position at the beginning of the new fiscal year (July 1) so the director could begin when the new budget year starts, but several said they preferred to begin recruitment earlier so hiring would not be delayed until late in the year.
Details and procedure: The committee discussed whether to start the position with part-time hours and move to full-time when the budget allows. Staff said existing parks funds might cover a few months of salary if someone could be hired before the next budget cycle. The committee also asked staff to research grant opportunities and the job description and to coordinate with county HR on classification and compliance with Tennessee employment rules.
Provenance: The parks-and-rec discussion and motions appear in the transcript where committee members referenced the master plan, Frisbee golf tournaments and the need for a staff contact to manage events and maintenance.
