City leaders continue to contemplate the future of the Parks and Recreation Commission with one alderman agreeing to be a mediater.
Ward 4 Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. will speak with the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors at its next board meeting.
“They (the supervisors) really feel that if they are going to put that kind of money into it, then they need a bigger voice in what goes on with parks and recreation,” Brent said, during Monday’s city council meeting.
Some city council members feel the county needs to “pay their fair share” when it comes to the local parks and recreation.
According to financial statements, Yazoo County contributes $46,080 into parks and recreation. The Yazoo Convention and Visitors Bureau also puts in $45,000.
In total, the county contributes $91,080 into the program.
The city of Yazoo City gives $117,000 into the department.
Brent reflected on the millage breakdown of both the city and county.
“When you take a look at it, a city mill for us, we are looking at $47,000,” Brent said. “A mill for them( the county) is $172,000.”
Mayor Diane Delaware said millage rates are “the great equalizer.”
“It is the great equalizer in government,” she said. “I will provide some kind of information that explains what mills and millage rate means.”
Alderman Dr. Jack Varner said the county should not include what the CVB contributes under its umbrella.
“And don’t count tourism as their fair share,” Varner said. “That money is made solely within the boundaries of Yazoo City. That is a mutual fund. They need to pay their fair share.”
But Cobie Collins, president of the Board of Supervisors, said the CVB funds are just as much under the county as Public Service Commission funds fall under the city of Yazoo City.
“The CVB is am arm of the county just like PSC is an arm of the city,” Collins said. “PSC gives the city money many times. Is not that the same concept?”
Collins added that while most of the restaurants and all of the hotels paying the taxes that fund the CVB are located within the city, many of the customers are county residents or visitors from other areas.
The city council has tossed around the idea of establishing and maintaining its own parks and recreation department. But thanks to a Legislative bill made years ago, the two governing boards are tied together with a parks and recreation commission.
“Are they asking that they have more commissioners,” asked Alderman Gregory Robertson.
“They just want to have a bigger voice in what goes on,” Brent replied. “If they put in two mills, you are looking at over $200,000 that they will be contributing.”
The city board has said in the past they feel the county should contribute more since more county residents use the parks than city residents.
“It’s a no-brainer,” said Alderman Ron Johnson. “Just pay your fair share and get on with it.”
But Collins said the city council is not considering the program as a whole.
“What about the Jonestown park and Campanella,” Collins asked. “The majority, if not all, are city patrons.”
Collins said the bottom line is that the direction of parks and recreation goes beyond funding.
“Money is not the problem with parks and recreation,” Collins said. “It’s the leadership. If we saw some productivity, then we might would be willing to put more money into it.”
Brent said he will bring a report back to the city council after he meets with the supervisors.
“If this board is in disagreement with that then we will just have to work on having the two boards agreeing to dissolve the relationship between the county and the city,” Brent said.
But the two board must reach a mutual agreement before the commission can dissolve. Collins said he doesn’t see the county board agreeing to such terms.
“With all the money we have put in over the years, why would we just walk away,” Collins asked.
Delaware said the city is willing to negotiate.
Collins said the Board of Supervisors is not trying to hurt any citizens, regardless of where they live.
“But we are not just going to give in to a group of people,” he said. “When we get a board (city council) that wants to represent all of Yazoo County and stop having to duplicate services its citizens...this power struggle only costs the taxpayers. The only time we hear from the city is when they want money.”
