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Ashford Archery club asks county to route $5,000 request through school system
Summary
A citizen representing the Ashford Archery team sought county support for equipment purchases (~$4,480 to $10,000 items). Commissioners said county cannot give funds directly to a club and asked for a formal superintendent letter so the school system can request and dedicate funds for the program.
Vanessa Thompson (S11) addressed the commission on behalf of the Ashford Archery team, describing equipment shortfalls and asking county support to help cover startup costs for the 2026-27 season.
"My name is Vanessa Thompson. I am here on behalf of Ashford Archery team," she said, listing equipment needs that include a target curtain she said costs $10,000 and multiple targets and quivers. Thompson said the club is not a school sport and does not receive school funds; fundraising and donations currently keep the program running.
Commissioners explained legal constraints on direct county payments to private clubs but offered a pathway: the county can appropriate funds to the school system if the superintendent provides a formal request and designates the appropriation for the archery program. "We can give money to the school system and they spend it on some of the following things," the chair said, and staff asked the speaker to obtain a letter from the superintendent to make a formal request for an appropriation.
Action requested: Commissioners asked staff to include any formal school request in the upcoming agenda so the commission can consider funding through the school system's allocation procedures rather than direct club support.
Next step: Archery representatives will seek a formal letter from the superintendent and pursue district-level designation to allow the county to consider an appropriation at a future meeting.
