The finance and facilities committee voted to allow the district to provide liquidity of up to $500,000 from Fund 46, a restricted facilities account, to complete the new baseball field while pledged donations arrive.

Michael, the presenter, said the overall project budget is about $2.4 million and that the district has roughly $1.9 million in donations pledged so far, leaving an approximate shortfall of $500,000 for lights, poles and remaining work. "It looks right now like our total expenses are gonna be 2,400,000.0 to do the field. And, we have $1,900,000 in donations. So we are short right now of the $500,000," Michael said.

Staff explained Fund 46 is a restricted facilities fund and that the district currently has about $3.0 million in that account. Staff described the planned flow: the district could pay contractors now from Fund 46 and return donated funds to that account as they are received. "That money is gonna come in, it's gonna go through the foundation, write a check, then that money will" replenish Fund 46, a staff member explained.

A motion to "allow up to $500,000 to provide liquidity to finish the baseball field" was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. Several members voiced concern about pulling district funds before all donations materialize; at least one member said they were "not happy about it," but the motion passed. Staff noted the board had followed a similar approach when completing prior athletic projects and characterized the move as standard practice to avoid leaving contractors unpaid and to complete the facility.

The board directed staff to take only what is needed ("up to $500,000") and to apply incoming donations to replenish Fund 46 when they are received.