Donor gives $12,562 for ballfield lighting; court discusses funding mechanics

At the public-comment portion of the April 1 Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting, Ms. Raina Allen, president of the Spencer County Baseball Association, presented a cashier's check for $12,562 from an anonymous Jackson Bayers Foundation donor (delivered by Brian Bayers) and asked the court to permit renaming ballfield No. 2 "Jackson's Field."

Judge Executive John Riley thanked Ms. Allen for spearheading the lighting project and called the donation "extremely generous." The court had previously awarded the contract to Knight Electric for the lighting, but the judge explained the project is a reimbursement grant (matching funds) and that county procedures require appropriate line items to be funded before a purchase order can be issued.

Court members discussed options. The treasurer confirmed a transfer was on the agenda to create the necessary line-item availability; Judge Riley said KIPDA area development funds (roughly $4,000–$5,000) and a City of Taylorsville $5,000 commitment had been identified as potential complementary sources. The court did not take a separate, recorded motion to cut a county purchase order at the meeting; minutes show the donation and funding discussion were entered into the record.

Why it matters: The gift advances a community recreation project that will expand evening use of county athletic facilities. Because the lighting project uses reimbursement-style grant funds, the court must appropriate or transfer local funds in advance of paid vendor work and then seek reimbursement per grant rules.

Next steps: Treasurer and county staff will process the transfer(s) and, following proper appropriation, the judge may issue the purchase order to allow Knight Electric to proceed.