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Hope Mills approves Parks & Recreation budget amendment to cover repairs, staffing and splash‑pad costs
Summary
The board approved Budget Amendment No. 30 to cover Parks & Recreation unanticipated costs — including roof and sprinkler repairs, increased part‑time staffing for expanded programs, supplies and additional splash‑pad water/sewer expense — after staff said some items were unforeseen and already completed.
The Hope Mills Board voted April 21 to approve Budget Amendment No. 30, a lump‑sum amendment combining several Parks & Recreation expenses that staff said were unforeseen or already incurred.
Staff explained the amendment covers building and roof repairs (including sprinkler and backflow replacement discovered during inspections), additional part‑time wages tied to growth in recreational programs and athletics, department supply needs and higher than anticipated water and sewer costs for the splash pad. Staff said some work had already been completed and invoiced and that the amendment is intended to keep the department within budget; the transcript records staff estimating an additional $18,000 was needed to cover splash‑pad water/sewer costs to date.
Board members and residents pressed staff on whether the town should wait for a pending state grant request (a submission noted in public comments) and on the process for approving invoice work done before council vote. Staff and the town attorney explained emergencies and compliance repairs sometimes require immediate action and that smaller items fall under administrative thresholds; larger items were consolidated into this single amendment to avoid repeated returns to the council.
Commissioners also discussed longer‑term issues raised by public comment — whether a recreation center should be sited on the golf course, canoe/kayak launch locations, and contractor performance on contracted mowing/maintenance. Staff said plan review and interagency coordination (public works, fire, DOT, PWC utilities) address many technical issues.
The board approved the amendment in a recorded voice vote noted in the transcript as 3 in favor and 2 opposed. The amendment funds were described in the packet as covering multiple Parks & Recreation repairs and program expansions.
The board also scheduled follow‑up on remaining parks projects and noted the department will seek efficiencies and grant opportunities where possible.
