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Atchison sports-complex leaders report progress; commissioners and community discuss keeping quarter-cent sales tax after sunset
Summary
Atchison Sports & Fitness and county representatives updated commissioners on completed sports-complex improvements, remaining items (restroom/concession stand, asphalt and lighting) and a community suggestion to continue the quarter-cent sales tax beyond the current sunset to fund maintenance and future projects
Scott Erickson, representing the regional sports-complex stakeholders, briefed the board on work funded by the county’s dedicated sales-tax allocation. Erickson said many projects are complete — including a playground, expanded north parking, and converting Field 3 to a T-ball field — and that the restroom/concession stand project is nearing final billing and closeout.
Commissioners and attendees discussed remaining priorities: asphalt repair/resurfacing, spectator shade, LED field-light upgrades and equipment repair. Erickson said LED conversion would require rewiring and contractor work and noted the timing advantage of doing that work in colder months to avoid field damage from heavy equipment. Commissioners asked staff to gather updated bids, including exploring pricing synergies with other local projects to reduce mobilization costs.
Several community members and representatives urged the county to consider keeping the quarter-cent sales tax in place after the sports-complex tax sunsets. One presenter recommended continuing collections and creating a dedicated maintenance/endowment-type fund to pay annual maintenance via a small draw (e.g., ~5% annually) so ad valorem taxes need not increase when current dedicated funds are exhausted. Commissioners acknowledged the idea and said they will consider options and further public discussion ahead of the sunset timeline.
