Balch Springs city staff told the council Nov. 10 that the city has several park projects under way and needs direction on whether to reallocate funds toward a soccer complex or finish previously budgeted field renovations.

Staff told the council that $750,000 is currently earmarked to complete two additional baseball/softball fields (fields 3 and 4). The city also reported a preliminary $6,400,000 construction award for a 3.7‑mile regional trail partnership with Dallas County, with $439,000 set aside for right‑of‑way acquisition and $38,000 available through the Type B board for park projects.

"We have 750,000 earmarked, that was set aside, that was set aside for the baseball field space," said a city staff presenter. Councilmember Patino moved to allocate some of the field funds toward soccer fields; the motion was seconded and then amended to follow the staff/Type B board recommendation to proceed with the full field renovations now and bring a soccer‑fields proposal back to council for consideration. The amended motion passed.

Council members voiced several practical concerns: completing work already under way; parking shortfalls at Oak Ridge Park; potential need to redesign the planned trail if soccer fields are added in the same footprint; and options to phase soccer amenities over multiple fiscal years. Staff said competitive bids through the BuyBoard had shown higher estimates for a multi‑field soccer complex and that using contractors would be required for construction.

The council asked staff to return with a plan that describes costs, impacts on the trail alignment, and a timeline if council wants to pursue soccer fields; in the meantime staff will proceed with the funded field‑renovation work.