County approves updated MOUs for Little League and youth football; Little League board may switch charters

Parks and Recreation Director Aikman Kazee presented two memorandums of understanding: one to update the McDowell County Little League agreement that accompanied the county27s 2022 merger, and a new MOU for the McDowell County Youth Football League.

Kazee said the updated Little League MOU clarifies responsibilities and gives McDowell County access to league documentation, including financial statements. He said the Little League board is exploring a possible charter change to Babe Ruth, which could change registration/fee rules but would not alter local operations or personnel.

The Youth Football MOU sets out responsibilities for the county and the MCYFL board and would allow MCYFL to handle registration like Little League currently does. Commissioners asked for specific wording on when game-collected grease would be surrendered to Parks & Recreation; that timing was clarified as at the end of each season and the motion was amended to include the change.

A motion to approve the MOUs (with the amendment on grease surrender timing) passed after votes recorded as unanimous in the meeting transcript. Commissioners expressed support for keeping youth sports affordable and acknowledged concerns that a switch to a different charter could raise registration costs for some families.