Highland Community Center launches MLS Go program; residents urge accountability before more county funding

The Highland Community Center announced Jan. 20 that it will launch the Highland Legacy Recreation League in partnership with Major League Soccer's MLS Go program to run a community-based youth soccer program for ages 4–14.

"MLS Go is Major League Soccer's nationwide recreational youth soccer program built with one clear mission, to make soccer fun, affordable and accessible for every child," Melanie Saint Germain, recreation director for Gilead/Highland Community Center, told the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. She said the center is applying for the North Carolina youth sports grant to pay for some facility upgrades and equipment and that registration will open in about two weeks.

The consent agenda included a "resolution of support for the Highland Community Center's application to North Carolina youth sports grant," which was approved as part of the consent items. No separate roll-call vote on that specific resolution was taken because it was on the consent agenda.

At the public forum, resident Andor Dumas urged the board to require accountability and transparency before awarding additional county funds. Dumas described problems she said persist at the center — including water pooling in an interior lunchroom, restrictive rental terms in a contract she said was given to her, and leadership conduct she said was inappropriate — and said community groups should be able to use taxpayer-funded facilities.

"If you all are going to give additional monies to them, there should be some accountability and transparency to make sure that they are up to date and doing what they said they were gonna do," Dumas said.

Commissioners and staff discussed the center's fee structure, the need for quarterly financial reports from organizations that receive county funds, and clarified that quarterly reporting is required even if no money has been spent. Manager Frankie and other commissioners said they would check fee comparisons with Brutonville and requested follow-up information on Highland's operations, website/contact reliability and previous reports.

What happened in the meeting The board received the Highland presentation, placed a resolution of support for the youth-sports grant on the consent agenda, and approved the consent agenda. Commissioners directed staff to verify reporting and accountability prior to or during the upcoming budget cycle.

What's next Staff will follow up on requested information about Highland's fee structure, website/contact details and past quarterly reports; commissioners said they may withhold future funding decisions until required reports and accountability measures are confirmed.