9/9/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Boos 87 Fa�F 599 little league football has over 200 children participating, and the most recently organized soccer league has 11 teams with approximately 125 participants. These programs pay their own way and are run by "fabulous citizen volunteers." The City of Sebastian recently acquired property from General Development Corporation which will be used to create 4 to 6 general purpose fields. Mr. McClary recognized that through the years the County has been committed to quality recreational services, as evidenced by Sandridge Golf Course and the new South County Park. The subsidy to the City of Vero Beach was increased in the proposed budget; those funds are used for their operating expenses. The City of Sebastian is not asking for funds for operating expenses but is asking the Commission to continue the program which was established for the Barber Street Sports Complex. If the County could not fund all or part of the project this year, Mr. McClary requested a commitment for assistance as funds become available in the future. He realized that it is difficult to achieve a balanced budget and suggested some alternatives. He noted that the County has forecast a reserve of $6 million in the General Fund and suggested that $90,000 could be taken from that reserve to provide some relief and assistance in constructing this facility. Mr. McClary stressed that the Barber Street Sports Complex is a good facility, it is well used, and it is appropriate that it be a combined city -county facility. He stated that the City of Sebastian wants to continue to work with the County on the course of action which was started several years ago. Mr. McClary realized that there was no legal commitment, but he believed that the County wants to live up to our hopes and commitment for good recreation services in the north county. Administrator Chandler commented that in the past the Barber Street Sports Complex was funded from MSTU, and if we were to consider it now, it appropriately would be within the MSTU budget rather than the General Fund budget. Mr. Chandler emphasized that his recommendation was for no additional funds for any parks and recreation facility; not Barber Street, Gifford Park, Hobart Park, Fellsmere nor South County Park. His comment was from a technical standpoint that any future funding, as in the past, would come from MSTU and not the General Fund. Commissioner Bird confirmed that the Barber Street Sports Complex is a good project which we have supported and want to support when we can afford to give our support. He asked if we could leave the door open until the start of the fiscal year when we see what our situation is regarding our cash carried forward. 8 -M M