Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council moves to prioritize pickleball courts as impact‑fee funds near expiry
Summary
Council discussed using park impact fees for a new pickleball court to avoid losing fees that must be returned after six years; staff reported several grant avenues but emphasized that impact fees are only eligible for new facilities, not replacement pavilions.
Mona City Council members discussed reallocating park impact fees to build a new pickleball court and pursue matching grants after staff warned several fee collections will reach a six‑year retention limit and could be returned to payors if not committed to eligible projects.
Staff explained that impact fees must be used for new park amenities rather than replacing existing structures, and that some funds collected in fiscal year 2021 will begin to lapse in 2027–2028 unless used. "Once you have held them for 6 years, you have to return them to the person you collected it from," a staff member said.
Options and costs: Council reviewed estimates for court surfacing and installation. Tile surface options were discussed as lower‑maintenance with an estimate in the neighborhood of $70,000 for a tile pad, fence and hoops; reinforced concrete with acrylic surfacing was cited as more expensive and requiring repainting every 3–5 years (an acrylic repaint estimated at about $19,000). Council members debated whether to pursue a pavilion in addition to courts but noted the specific grant discussed (Land and Water Conservation Fund / Utah outdoor recreation funds) is targeted at new recreational facilities and would not cover a like‑for‑like replacement.
Process and next steps: Speaker 4 told the council he had placed approval of use of park impact fees for pickleball courts on the next meeting agenda and asked staff to provide final bids. Members generally supported moving forward with pickleball courts now to avoid losing funds and to seek additional grants or donations for a pavilion later. "If we're gonna lose that money, let's just buy it right out, get it put in, and then worry about the pavilion," one council member said.
Timing: Staff cautioned that some grant cycles are already open and deadlines are near, so the council directed staff to complete bid solicitation and prepare an agenda item with a firm bid for formal approval.
