HOPKINS COUNTY, KY (2/22/12)—From funding issues and misunderstandings, to location and property concerns, the Hopkins County Sports Complex project has faced some hurdles.
However, following a vocal discussion about a new public support study on the project during the last Hopkins County Fiscal Court meeting (February 8th, 2012), county magistrates and the Community Improvement Foundation (CIF) were able to arrive at an agreeable solution for everyone involved.
As outlined, the proposed study would be implemented by the CIF in two phases, the first of which would both gauge public support and identify those willing to donate financially. CIF Executive Director, Shane Browning, noted on February 8th that methods used to collect data during this 90 day phase would include online questionnaires, mail-based surveys, face-to-face interviews, and more. The second phase—which would be wholly contingent upon information and support levels indicated through phase one—would cover the actual collection of monetary support from community members.
While both the cost of the first phase ($18,000) and the fact that relatively similar studies had been previously conducted left some magistrates questioning the study, members of the CIF and the court’s Recreation, Building, and Grounds Committee were able to work out a deal that could potentially cost the county little to no money.
Specifically, the CIF has agreed to finance the $18,000 cost of the study from the 3.5% commission rate/payment amount they hope to collect from the second phase or capital campaign portion of the study. In essence, as long as the second phase of the campaign raises at least $515,000, the first phase study will cost nothing to the Hopkins County Fiscal Court, alleviating concerns formerly expressed. In fact, the CIF has even agreed to place the $18,000 into the project’s fund if collected.
The new agreement was unanimously supported and passed by all members of the court on February 21st, 2012.
Magistrate Christopher Toney, a proponent of the study and supporter of the complex project, voiced his satisfaction with the agreement during the meeting, stating that, “I think [CIF CEO] Tony Watkins hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘We can’t ask others to do what we’re not willing to do ourselves.’ I think that goes to show a lot about what this company believes about our county, believes about our community, and about their willingness to help our area grow.”
While the county has spent approximately $1 million in coal severance funding on the Hopkins County Sports Complex Project since its inception, an additional $3 million dollars will be required to get the field area and onsite facilities ready for games and/or youth tournaments.
To view the initial report regarding this topic, click here.
Luke Short
SurfKY News
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