The Vandalia City Council has approved over 1.3 million dollars in TIF funds for the “Forging Our Future” campaign.
The Forging Our Future project is a multi-level project that would be for athletic facility improvements for the Vandalia School District. It would start with a new building across from Vandalia High School to house weight rooms and a wrestling practice facility, then would include turf for Mark Greer Field and improvements at the football facility including new lights and bleachers. And, the project would also include new tennis and pickle ball courts to replace the current ones. The total project is estimated at $5,283,206. So, the campaign is asking for 25% of that amount, or $1,320,801.50 in TIF funds. This past week, the TIF Committee recommended the funding of the project to the city council. Vandalia High School Athletic Director Jason Clay talked about part of the project that would create a new wrestling practice facility and he explained the current practice room.
Alderman Steve Barker says he is behind the project but is concerned about giving so much money to one project.
And, Barker reiterated he would like money available in case a big opportunity came along for the community.
City Administrator LaTisha Paslay said the funding was there to take care of the project and leave funding going forward. Alderman Andy Lester said that was good enough reason for him to believe they should move forward.
The City Council approved funding for the project by a vote of 5 to 2, with Aldermen Barker and Kenny Lewey voting no and one Alderman being absent. The funding will be provided over a five year period, which would work out to $264,160 per year.
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