October 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Funding will soon be in place to purchase a splash pad for Green Brook Park.
During a brief special called meeting Monday night, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen adopted a budget amendment on first reading authorizing an expenditure of up to $173,000 for a 2,400 square foot splash pad and $7,000 for purchase of software and related costs to offer online payment of city property taxes. Second and final reading will be scheduled at the regular monthly meeting Monday night, November 1 at 6 p.m. at city hall. The money for both projects will be taken from the city’s unreserved fund balance.
The city has received proposals from two companies that sell and install splash pads. One of the companies is Great Southern Recreation of Chattanooga which has submitted a price of $170,967 . The other company is Aquatix of Cookeville and their price is $172,976.
The mayor and aldermen have not yet selected which company with whom to do business.
The city has applied for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant through the Upper Cumberland Development District which, if approved, would provide up to $50,000 for the splash pad project.
A splash pad provides kids a recreation area for water play. City officials hope to have the splash pad ready for use by next spring or summer.
Meanwhile, Mayor Josh Miller said the software for online payment of city property taxes will be a great service to city landowners. The software will also provide the ability for realtors and others to research property tax information on city properties.