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City manager outlines $7 million turf upgrade, bond option and staffing proposal for sports tourism
Summary
City manager Tyler presented options to grow sports tourism, including a phased plan and a possible $7 million turf-field upgrade financed by a 15‑year bond (estimated annual payments about $680,000), plus a proposal to fund dedicated staff for marketing and events.
City manager Tyler told the Texarkana AMP Commission that the city could pursue larger sports‑tourism projects and suggested financing, staffing and allocation changes to support them.
Tyler framed the AMP budget into annual obligations, program funds and staff costs and recommended considering caps on event allocations and a dedicated staff position for marketing or economic development. He estimated hiring a dedicated staff member would bring total annual personnel costs (salary and benefits) to roughly $150,000 and said many peer cities dedicate a share of their AMP budgets to staff support.
On capital projects, Tyler outlined a phased sports‑complex plan and gave an initial estimate that upgrading existing fields to turf would cost about $7 million. “You’re looking at annual payments of about 680,000 for a $7 million bond over 15 years,” he told the commission. He said the commission could explore bond structures, lease‑revenue options and a public‑facilities board to limit voter exposure and that any AMP bond financing would be subject to voter approval.
Tyler recommended a workshop and, if commissioners were interested, an economic‑impact study and market analysis before moving forward. Commissioners expressed support for exploring the concept, urged a near‑term workshop and noted potential cross‑border coordination with neighboring Texas jurisdictions. Tyler said staff had already spoken with a Raymond James contact about preliminary bond numbers and with a sports‑facilities consultant about phased market and financial studies.
The commission did not take an immediate vote; Tyler offered to schedule a workshop to present more detailed costing and financing options.
