Commission asks mayor to solicit financing proposals for turf at county parks, eyes grants and HCI loan
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Summary
The commission voted 5–0 to have the mayor seek financial proposals and repayment options — including an HCI interfund loan — to install turf at county parks; mayor detailed a phased $5.3 million project with potential grants covering roughly half.
Bradley County commissioners on Feb. 5 voted to authorize the mayor to seek financing proposals for installing artificial turf at county parks and to explore repayment using an HCI interfund loan.
Commissioner Alford moved that the mayor obtain proposals from qualified financial institutions for turf installation and repayment options using HCI funds; Commissioner Hughes seconded and the motion passed 5–0. Mayor Davis described a phased approach: an initial $2 million for two parks this year, with remaining phases next year. The mayor said recreation grants and a CDBG application could cover 50–60% of costs, and a tax incremental financing (TIF) option remains under consideration.
Commissioners discussed tradeoffs, including loan terms tied to product life (the mayor said HCI loans typically limit borrowing to 10 years) and the effect on HCI's availability for other projects. Some commissioners emphasized they opposed using general taxpayer dollars for turf but supported pursuing grant and interfund loan options that would limit direct tax impacts.
The committee also debated timing and phasing, with staff saying baseline sports construction is available to begin work in winter 2026 for the first parks.
