Celebration Park exceeds budget; council debates using $100,000 from LOST funds

The Vinton City Council narrowly and tentatively approved spending up to $100,000 in local option sales tax funds to cover the higher-than anticipated costs of Celebration Park, but must take further action at its next meeting to make the approval official.

Although fund-raising efforts have netted more than $280,000, the cost of the project is now estimated at $367,000.

Vinton Parks & Recreation Director Duane Randall, along with Celebration Park Committee members Jon Clingman and Mark Mossman, discussed the park funding question with the city council during its meeting last week.

Only one bid was received for the pavilion and restrooms structure; the committee plans to re-bid this part of the project.

Randall told the council that the VMEU is assisting with the expense of lighting and might contribute more. He asked the council to consider using part of the local option sales tax funds that are earmarked for capital projects.

Mayor John Watson said the project was worth the city’s support. After considering other options, the council voted to approve spending up to $100,000 from the local option sales tax capital fund, while also asking VMEU for assistance.

Council member Chris Bendull suggested asking for more contributions from the community. Councilman Bud Maynard, made the motion, which was seconded by Ron Hessenius to approve spending up to $100,000 for Celebration Park, less any contribution that might be made by VMEU, from the LOST Fund for capital projects. Elwick, Hessenius, Maynard voted yes; Bendull and Tami Stark voted no. Council member Dave Redlinger was absent.

But later, said City Coordinator Andy Lent, officials have learned that more council action is necessary.

"An expenditure more than $10,000 on any one project requires an affirmative vote of the majority of council members. This means it requires a 4-2 vote, and this vote was only 3-2," said Lent. "Furthermore, city legal counsel advises that it also requires a resolution. A resolution on this subject will be on the agenda at the next Council meeting, July 11 for consideration."

Stark says more options should be explored

Tami Stark, who voted against the funding, explained her reasons after the meeting.

"It seems as though there is an opinion 'out there' that if this Council does not see fit to contribute funds to the Celebration Park Project, we will be perceived as being non-supportive to this project and possible future projects that would be considered betterments to our community," Stark said. "That is not the case at all. Of course we like to see projects that improve our community; it would be counterproductive for us not to. It is when the City is asked for funds for these projects that we need to weigh costs with benefits."

Stark then cited some of her concerns:

"In the case of Celebration Park, we have not been asked for a specific dollar amount, and we have not been told of any specific matching dollar amounts. With the exception of the fact that we were told the Celebration Park project has come in roughly $112,000 over what was originally estimated at $255,000 (leaving an $87,000 deficit between what was raised and actual cost), we were not told if there are plans to 'scale down' some of the original plans, or to wait for future fundraising to complete some of the items that came in over budget. A 'no' vote in this case does not mean the project is disliked….it means we need to explore all options of funding, and be presented with a clear and specific request."

"As many may know by now, the Council was divided on how to proceed and the issue will need to be re-visited at our next meeting on July 11," Stark says. "In the meantime, I would strongly encourage people to talk to their council representatives and/or attend the meeting next week."

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DY July 8, 2013, 4:44 pm Is there a break-down on the cost of the items? It seems like a lot of money was spent for a gazebo, decorative signs, benches, clean up of the trees, planting trees, etc. And yet you want more. For what? Yes it may look nice when done, but there is not a lot of places to park if you are going to host events there.

OW July 3, 2013, 10:59 am I would be very curious how a project of this size runs over by 31%, if the bids were received and the job was explained well..... The park will be beautiful whens it done and it has cleaned up the entry to Vinton, I believe the people of Vinton have been exceedingly gracious with donations, maybe a little better explanation of why a $100,000 over needs to be given.

jb July 3, 2013, 10:47 am HOW could they be so far off on costs???Where did the $255,000.00 go?

JN July 3, 2013, 8:26 am $100,000? Good Grief! For what?! Where has the existing money gone? There isn\'t much to show for it down there, and now they want a $100,000 out of the tax payers\' pockets! And, yes, it is out of tax payers\' pockets!

MD July 2, 2013, 9:00 pm It seems a 31 percent over run is a bit to much. Was there a signed contract on this project ? If so what was that total dollars. The Public should know about this.

SM July 2, 2013, 5:46 pm Most families are forced to stay within their budgets. Maybe a \"cutback\" should be explored first before asking for the $100,000 of local option sales tax money?

TS July 2, 2013, 1:43 pm Please be advised, this motion has not been approved, and it will be revisited at our next council meeting.

AL July 2, 2013, 1:13 pm For further clarification, it was pointed out later that an expenditure more than $10,000 on any one project requires an affirmative vote of the majority of council members. This means it requires a 4-2 vote, and this vote was 3-2. Furthermore, city legal counsel advises that it also requires a resolution. A resolution on this subject will be on the agenda at the next Council meeting, July 11 for consideration.

News : Celebration Park exceeds budget; council debates using $100,000 from LOST funds

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