The Clinton County Rec/Park Board held its regular meeting last Thursday evening, July 28. Most of the discussion during the approximate 45-minute meeting was to finalize plans for the U.S. 127 Sale. (A separate article on the sale can be found, beginning on page 1.)

Park Director Bobby Reneau estimated there would probably be a few more vendors set up at Mountain View Park this year, noting there were several new, first-time sellers locating in the park for this year’s annual event.

The board also agreed on food and drink prices for the concession sales. Most will stay about the same as last year, with the exception of drinks going from $1.25 to $1.50 to help offset rising costs.

Food, including ribeyes, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs and more, will be sold at the park Thursday through Saturday. The fundraiser, the only one conducted by the park board each year, helps generate a few thousand dollars in revenue for park operations and utility expenses incurred each and every month of the year.

Vince Ostertag also presented the treasurer’s report, which led to some discussion of the importance of the city and county governments’ input in helping the park operate each year.

The report, with totals ending on July 28, showed a balance after pending bills of just over $4,300.00. However, around $6,500 in pending deposits, including over $6,000 from the City of Albany’s allotment to the park from the past fiscal year, (about half of the total year’s allotment) should boost that total.

Ostertag noted that average monthly operating costs–including utilities, etc.–ranged from about $3,000 per month upwards to $6,000 during busier seasons.

Both the city and county budgets show an estimated allotment of $10,000 from each entity to the park for the current 2011-12 fiscal year which runs through June 30.

Reneau also gave a brief buildings and grounds update, noting the water fountain at the park was once again repaired.

Finally, the park director reported that church league softball wound up with five participating teams and league play was to have begun last weekend. That league will play throughout August, ending with a league tournament.

A mixed league will begin in September and more information on that will be announced later.

The next regular meeting of the Rec/Park Board is scheduled for August 25 at 6 p.m. at the park and is open to the general public.