Ft. Jackson requests $50K to build park

BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Town Council members balked at a proposal to spend $50,000 to help build Centennial Park at Ft. Jackson, a proposed park at the Columbia military base located approximately 14 miles from the Town of Blythewood limits.

In October 2019, the council kicked in $15,000 toward the park, said Town Administrator Carroll Williamson.

This year, the Gateway to the Army Association, which is working to build the park, asked the town for a $15,000 sponsorship for its annual fundraiser, plus an additional $35,000 to help build the park, Williamson said.

Council members didn’t vote on either request, though a quorum of at least three members voiced concerns about requests.

Councilman Donald Brock noted the town has insufficient hospitality or accommodations tax funds to cover the cost.

“My question is where would this $50,000 come from?” Brock asked.

Williamson said the money would have to come from the town’s general fund balance. A council vote would be required because the park appropriations were not part of the town’s approved budget.

“It’s clearly outside of what we budgeted,” Williamson said.

Brock also questioned whether appropriating money toward the park breaches town policies.

“From a policy standpoint, are we opening a Pandora’s Box by giving funds across the table when we are basically holding everyone else to a standard?” he asked.

Williamson responded that this is the association’s final fundraiser for the park.

“They’ve asked all other municipalities,” for contributions, he said.

Councilman Larry Griffin raised concerns about extending funding to any organization outside of what’s included in the annual budget.

“My question to the council is going to be, ‘when are you going to say no?’ We’re painting ourselves into a corner,” Griffin said. “That’s going to be an egg on our face at some point. At some junction, we have to say no.”

According to the Gateway of the Army website, the proposed Centennial Park “will be a beautiful green area designed to enhance family gatherings during Family Day activities and Initial Entry Training graduations.”

Located at Ft. Jackson, the park would also host official military events and ceremonies, as well as serve as a “place where Soldiers and civilians alike can unwind and reflect.”

According to council documents, sponsorship levels range from $750 to $15,000. Mayor Bryan Franklin noted there are other options if council members were reluctant to award the full $15,000. He said Fort Jackson is of interest to the town even though it’s not part of the town limits.

“I would point out that there are bronze sponsorships of $1,250. You don’t have to give them everything,” Franklin said. “We do have quite a few veterans living here in Blythewood who participate at Fort Jackson.”

Brock said his reluctance is not whether the town can afford to make outside contributions, but rather that outside funding requests should follow the same process.

“The question isn’t whether or not we have the money, because we clearly do,” Brock said. “The question is whether or not we’re going to approve requests outside our three-month period of when we accept requests. If we’re not going to stick to our policy, why have one?”

Councilman Eddie Baughman asked whether the request was urgent and if it could wait until February, which is when the council will accept new funding requests from outside groups.

Franklin said the fundraiser was more pressing.

“The fundraiser is probably more urgent than the park project overall,” he said.

After a period of silence, Franklin suggested, “let’s wait, let them apply in February in compliance with our policy.

No one made a motion and the issue was not voted on.