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Parks director seeks $250,000 to rebuild Battle Creek Cypress Swamp; board closes hearing record
Summary
After a 2022 fire, Parks requested $250,000 from a golf‑course CIP to complete rebuild work and meet ADA upgrades beyond insurance estimates; staff said the county will attempt to recover costs from insurance and asked to complete work before a reimbursement deadline.
Bob Brann, director of Parks and Recreation, presented a public hearing on budget amendment BA2025000100 to move $250,000 from the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course CIP to rebuild the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center after a November 2022 electrical fire.
Brann said the local government insurance estimate (LEGIT) will not cover required Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades under current design standards and that the additional $250,000 is needed to complete the rebuild. He told commissioners staff will pursue potential additional insurance reimbursement but said the county must complete the rebuild by mid‑December for LEGIT to request additional reimbursement.
Public commenter Joseph Cormier spoke in support of ADA improvements and said reopening the center matters to local educational programs: “I fully support the upgrades to make the learning center and the trails ADA accessible,” he said. After questions from commissioners about timing and remaining CIP funds, the board voted to close the hearing record and staff will return in 10 days with the budget amendment and related resolution.
Next steps: staff to proceed with design and rebuild work, attempt insurance cost recovery as available, and return to the board with the formal budget amendment resolution in 10 days.
