Charles Oliver
Dalton Daily Citizen
DALTON —
The Dalton City Council voted 3-0 Monday night for the recreation department to go ahead with plans for a skate park.
Dalton Middle School student Victor Cervantes asked the council to consider building a park in March.
Parks and recreation director Ronnie Nix said the park will be built at James Brown Park and the department has already contacted an engineer to do a soil erosion plan. He said Cervantes and several other young people have volunteered to help design the park, which is expected to cost about $100,000. The park will be paid for from the city’s fund balance
Council members heard a financial update from finance director Cindy Jackson. The city ended 2009 with a fund balance of $18.7 million, significantly more than had been budgeted.
“We are proud of those finances,” said Mayor David Pennington. “Department heads did a very good job, especially in the final quarter, of controlling expenses.”
Pennington said city officials expected to end the year with a balanced budget but instead had a surplus of about $1.6 million, though $1 million of that was capital expenses budgeted for last year that will be spent this year.
Council members also voted 3-0 to:
• Approve an amendments to the city’s soil erosion ordinance to bring it in line with the latest state requirements.
• Approve a $7,500 contract with Stanley, Hunt, DuPree & Rhine for actuarial services.
• Approve three new alcoholic beverage licenses.
• Amend the city’s contract with Crystal Air to manage the Dalton Municipal Airport. The amended contract calls for Crystal Air to get 18.5 percent of hangar rentals.
