Commission trims parks grant application, removes proposed pool and commits local match from ARPA

The county commission voted to amend and then approve a resolution supporting a Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) grant application after removing a proposed pool from the application and designating county funds to cover the required local match.

The debate began when commissioners raised concerns about the long-term upkeep and the county’s obligation to provide a local match for the pool if the grant were awarded. Commissioner David Thomas moved to remove the pool from the grant application so the county could pursue courts and resurfacing projects without committing to the pool’s estimated multi-year costs. The commission carried the motion to remove the pool by electronic vote: 12 yes, 4 no, 2 abstain, 2 absent.

Discussion then turned to where the county would find the local match. Commissioners discussed several funding options including ARPA, capital-project balances and current-year budget balances. After debate, the commission voted to use ARPA funds for the county’s share; that electronic vote passed 11 yes, 6 no, 1 abstain, and 2 absent. A final vote on the resolution as amended carried 13 yes, 5 no, and 2 absent.

Commissioners noted that applying does not obligate the county to accept the award. As county staff advised, the commission must identify a funding source at the time of application; the county can decline an award later before contracting begins. Parks committee members said resurfacing tennis courts and converting courts for pickleball were priorities that would remain in the application after the pool was removed.

Next steps: staff will finalize the application language reflecting the amended scope and the designated ARPA match, and, if awarded, the commission will decide whether to accept the grant before entering a contract.