The Emporia Recreation Commission had a lengthy meeting Monday evening.
The meeting began with a pair of executive sessions, the first of which dealt with discussions on a contract for Rec Director Tom McEvoy. According to McEvoy, who has served as director for the past 25 years, he is one of the very few directors in the state without a formal employment contract.
While he declined a taped interview on the subject, McEvoy did state he proposed the contract and believes it will add an extra layer of “job security” for him moving forward. While he could not comment on the details of said contract, ERC President Jeremy Dorsey stated the contract is one way the commission is looking to “modernize” its operations.
The second executive session focused on non-elected personnel matters and concluded with the commission approving an adjustment, namely increases, to the ERC’s 2024-25 wage schedule.
In other business, commissioners approved a notice to the Lyon County Clerk’s Office declaring the commission’s intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2025 fiscal year. Currently, the commission has a proposed general fund of $7.8 million, an increase from the prior year.
McEvoy says that number could change between now and next month when the commission is set to formally approve the budget. Separately, commissioners also approved several infrastructure matters including repairs to the Optimist Baseball Diamonds in Peter Pan Park which suffered a variety of damage from storms that blew through the area last month.
McEvoy says the entire repair process is estimated to cost roughly $76,600, however, he expects that price will come down once the ERC submits a claim for the repairs to their insurance company later this week. As for when the repair work will begin, McEvoy says that could be several weeks off as they do not want to disrupt ongoing activities.
In other business, commissioners:
*Extended the term for commission member Mike Helberg through August to allow more time for individuals to apply for the commission’s at-large seat.
*Approved a replacement of netting at the Soden’s Grove baseball field.
*Received an update on the new recreation center steering committee.
*Received an update on recent storm damage to the Rec Commission’s outdoor maintenance facility at Santa Fe Park.
*Received an update on a refinishing project for the Rec Center’s gymnasium, walking track and racquetball courts.
The ERC will reconvene for its monthly meeting on Monday, July 15 at 5:30 pm inside of the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
