Turf Wars Resolved…for Now

Commentary by Gloria Way

  To Turf or not to Turf … That was the headline of last week’s paper. Commissioners Court was held Tuesday, July 9^th, with the same agenda item that did not receive a “motion” in Court two weeks ago. But the same item was placed on the agenda again. This time the Court passed agenda item #6.3 – Discuss and consider approving Tarkett Sports for the construction of turfing the infields at both Jim Silva Sports Complex and Don McLeod Sports Complex in the amount of $2,297,537.00.

  The agenda item was subject to opposition two weeks ago because citizens spoke up about what a waste of taxpayer money it was for turf infields.  It was called a “luxury item”, and that the money should be spent on county projects such as road and bridges and drainage.

  Apparently, over the last couple of weeks, Commissioners Ryan Dagley Pct 4 and Mark Tice Pct 2 received “dozens of calls” from youth sports organizations and parents supporting turf infields with the County Judge implying that the County will make money from so many baseball and softball leagues having tournaments in Chambers County because of the turf infields. The commissioners also stated that one reason they received so many calls in support of turf infields was because it was assumed that the cost of the turf infields that was approved last year in the 2024 Certificates of Obligation (CO), was already budgeted and a moving forward project.

  And these citizens were correct. I researched the 2024 CO and the Court approved over $2 million for turfing those sport complexes infield. Apparently, Commissioners Court forgot that turfing the infields was already budgeted, and the way it was written as an agenda item made it seem to be a new agenda item, not one already voted on and approved.

  Whoever writes the agenda items needs to specify that the item to be “discussed and considered” was already approved and budgeted, and that said item was on agenda to inform the commissioners that the project was moving forward. All the discussion as to whether the County should turf infields should have occurred last year when the 2024 CO were being discussed and considered. It would have saved a lot of time and energy and “hot air” if that had been made clear from that start.