Council expands agenda and opens path to restore youth sports funding after public outcry

Residents described confusion about how donations and city funds have been mixed, which raised legal concerns about the city appearing to sponsor travel teams and paying city employees overtime to coach. Cindy Hendrix, owner of a local sporting goods store, told the council, “The way that’s the way all the other teams have worked.” She described separate team accounts used for travel and equipment, and urged separation of donated funds from city accounts.

Speakers including parents and long-time coaches said recreational programs — football, baseball, basketball and the track program — are important to youth engagement and requested the council restore money to keep leagues operating. Several speakers said donations were historically placed in city accounts and that practice created audit questions when the donations were used for travel or paid coaching expenses.

In response, the council voted to expand the agenda so members could consider a budget amendment. The motion to expand the agenda and suspend rules carried by voice vote. Councilmembers directed the budget preparer and parks/recreation staff to return with detailed cost estimates and recommended allocations so the council can act promptly on restoring funding.

Council members emphasized that city-sponsored leagues may not pay city employees to travel or coach in ways that appear to make the city a private sponsor; the city attorney warned that paying employee overtime for team travel can create legal and audit exposure. Councilmembers said they want a remedy that preserves programs while complying with procurement and gift rules.

The meeting ended with a preliminary agreement to seek a budget amendment or Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) to allow lawful donations and program support and to ensure equal allocations among leagues.