City discusses skatepark funding

City discusses skatepark funding Brian Smith Wed, 04/17/2024 - 8:41 am   Jacksboro Mayor Craig Fenter, right, presents a proclamation to Nicole Rosenbaum with the Child Advocacy Center during the Monday, April 8 city council meeting. Fenter said the proclamation was for April being Child Abuse Awareness Month. Photo/Brian Smith College Park Skatepark officials are being asked to show some of the money they’ve raised before work can get started. Jacksboro City Manager Mike Smith said, during the Monday, April 8 meeting, the land near the Jacksboro ISD Administration Building is ready but the city wants to see what the skatepark has been doing over the last few years. Thecityhaspurchased the equipment and put more than $60,000 into the project. Mayor Craig Fenter said the city acted in good faith for loaning them group the money — money which could have been used for better things. “We put $60,000 into the project, now we’re being asked for $22,000 more for some land,” Fenter said. “We spent $50,000onChurchStreet, which needed to be done for the downtown revitalization project. My question is what’s our priority? If we’re the public, would we rather have a skatepark or have our streets worked on?” Place 2 Alderman Brandon Sisson said the tornado has had an impact on getting work done. Sisson said there will be more than just a skatepark in the area but also pickle ball courts. Place 3 Alderman Greg Robinson said spending any more money on this without seeing any payback is not “fiscally responsible.” “We loaned the money to them to get this project started,” Robinson said. “I’d like to see them act in good faith before doing anything else.” Place 1 Alderman Libby Gonzales reminded everyone where the money comes from. “Thisistaxpayermoney we’re playing with,” Gonzales said.”The strategic plan states we need to be working on the streets.” No action was taken on the item.