Usage fees waived for ball park
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008
DECATUR — The City Council voted Nov. 10 to waive the school district’s usage fees this year for the Edmiston Ball Park, but only after voicing concerns about the way the district and Decatur Youth Sports used the fields last year.
Last year, the school district paid the city around $ 800 for the use of the baseball and softball fields, concession stands and bathrooms. It costs the city more than $ 500 for electricity to power the field lights.
At last month’s meeting, council member David Cook recommended waiving the fees in support of the financiallystruggling school district, but Mayor Bill Montgomery and other council members were concerned about the condition in which the district and the Decatur Youth Sports program left the fields last year.
High school athletic director Bobby King appeared before the council Nov. 10, along with Decatur Youth Sports leaders, to negotiate the use of the fields.
The two groups agreed to meet with city parks manager Mike Liley to set up a maintenance plan.
King volunteered to donate an old mower for dragging the fields, and Montgomery volunteered to donate the use of his tractor and front-end loader.
After some discussion, the council voted to waive the usage fee.
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