News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County wants to enter into a consulting contract to create a 5-10 year parks and recreation master plan.
County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the parks and rec committee has recommended moving forward with Nashville firm Ragan Smith Associates.
“There going to do a survey of what we have to offer and what we possibly have to offer,” Robinson said. “There going to reach out to the public and the community with questionnaires maybe some phone calls to see what the public would like to happen.”
Robinson said the county wants to have the contract for work in hand by its September committee meetings. Robinson said the company would then take all the findings to create a timeline of feasible projects.
“We don’t want to taint the outcome,” Robinson said. ‘We want to really watch these people do their work and get the public input. Obviously, I got things I am interested in. I am sure that every member of the board has something they are interested in. We don’t want to push them in any direction.”
Robinson said then, commissioners will decide if the details fit what they want to achieve. Robinson said having a plan helps bring in more funding to later complete the projects.
“You identify a plan of action,” Robinson said. “Then, that opens the door for grants to help fund that plan. When submitting for grants, if you can show that you are studying this and did your due diligence, it scores you higher on grants.”
Robinson said the county has $40,000 to work with through a TDEC grant awarded in May.
