County Relents On CCAC Funding
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
A new lineup of sorts among the Kosciusko County Commissioners led Tuesday to the first outward vote of support to assist the City-County Athletic Complex.
Representatives of the CCAC, returning for the fourth consecutive year in hopes of receiving any type of financial support, proposed a one-time gift of $75,000.
In past years, similar pitches had struck out, but two commissioners voted into office over the past two years made the difference this time.
Commissioner Brad Jackson, vowing to stand by an earlier campaign pledge, proposed a one-time gift of $50,000. Avis Gunter supported the measure.
Middle District Commissioner Eddie Creighton, whose district includes the multipurpose sports facility west of Warsaw, renewed his opposition in the 2-1 vote.
Creighton said he remains philosophically opposed to using county funds for recreational purposes.
Jackson, noting that at times the CCAC funding debate focused more on "Warsaw versus the county," said it was time to put aside the divisive issue and move on.
The city of Warsaw donates about $30,000 annually from its cable franchise fees. The county has avoided funding even though the facility's name suggests a direct county involvement.
Regardless of what people may say, Jackson said, Warsaw remains the center of activity in the county.
The issue now goes to county council for final approval, and Jackson said the commissioners' position would be represented at the meeting.
Dave Montgomery, who made the proposal Tuesday, said he realized the county flatly denied the CCAC any funding last year and suggested the position would not change. But Montgomery said he returned this year because of changes in the commissioners' make-up.
Jackson said he didn't seek the full $75,000 because it was "a little too much."
The CCAC features eight ball diamonds and several soccer fields, and was financed mostly on private and corporate donations.
Montgomery said the facility was experiencing some "operational shortfalls," and is in need of some immediate financial support. [[In-content Ad]]
A new lineup of sorts among the Kosciusko County Commissioners led Tuesday to the first outward vote of support to assist the City-County Athletic Complex.
Representatives of the CCAC, returning for the fourth consecutive year in hopes of receiving any type of financial support, proposed a one-time gift of $75,000.
In past years, similar pitches had struck out, but two commissioners voted into office over the past two years made the difference this time.
Commissioner Brad Jackson, vowing to stand by an earlier campaign pledge, proposed a one-time gift of $50,000. Avis Gunter supported the measure.
Middle District Commissioner Eddie Creighton, whose district includes the multipurpose sports facility west of Warsaw, renewed his opposition in the 2-1 vote.
Creighton said he remains philosophically opposed to using county funds for recreational purposes.
Jackson, noting that at times the CCAC funding debate focused more on "Warsaw versus the county," said it was time to put aside the divisive issue and move on.
The city of Warsaw donates about $30,000 annually from its cable franchise fees. The county has avoided funding even though the facility's name suggests a direct county involvement.
Regardless of what people may say, Jackson said, Warsaw remains the center of activity in the county.
The issue now goes to county council for final approval, and Jackson said the commissioners' position would be represented at the meeting.
Dave Montgomery, who made the proposal Tuesday, said he realized the county flatly denied the CCAC any funding last year and suggested the position would not change. But Montgomery said he returned this year because of changes in the commissioners' make-up.
Jackson said he didn't seek the full $75,000 because it was "a little too much."
The CCAC features eight ball diamonds and several soccer fields, and was financed mostly on private and corporate donations.
Montgomery said the facility was experiencing some "operational shortfalls," and is in need of some immediate financial support. [[In-content Ad]]