Making sure the Knox Parks and Recreation Department has enough money to keep operating is the goal of a temporary loan approved by the city council Tuesday. It lets the park department borrow $15,000 for operational expenses out of the Park Capital Improvement Fund, according to Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston.
“This will be paid back within six months, so it’s going to be by the end of the year, and they should get their next tax distribution around December 15,” he explained. “So as soon as they get that tax distribution, which should be about $35,000, they will repay this loan to the Park Improvement.” Houston said the Park Capital Improvement Fund mainly consists of revenues from concession sales; the park department has been letting it build up over time.
Mayor Dennis Estok noted that something had to be done. “If we don’t pass this, basically, they’ll have to close the park,” he said. “They will. They have no money for payroll. They’re done.”
“They’re down to about $1,000,” Houston added.
He explained that part of the reason for the shortfall was the purchase of a new mower and a larger-than-expected tax cap impact.
