Commissioner Bethell moves to pull Parkdale Park MOU from agenda; transfer of ARPA funds delayed

Commissioner Danielle Bethell moved on March 11 to remove agenda item #5 — an Amendment #1 to a Memorandum of Understanding with Marion County Public Works concerning the Parkdale Park Development Project — saying the board would hold off on transferring funds at the request of a citizen to consider additional improvements. Commissioner Kevin Cameron seconded the motion, which carried with Bethell and Cameron voting aye and Commissioner Colm Willis not present for the vote.

The removed item was described on the agenda as an amendment to close out the ARPA-funded Parkdale Park Development Project and transfer $34,037.62 in unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds back to the Marion County Board of Commissioners for reallocation. The transcript records the board’s decision to remove the item for further discussion; no further action or alternative plan was provided during the meeting.

Because the item was pulled, the board did not vote on any transfer or reallocation of the $34,037.62 during the March 11 session. The record notes that the board intends to revisit Parkdale Park funding after additional input but does not set a date for that follow-up during the meeting.