White Bluff council formally accepts donation, allocates $10,000 to move, set up skatepark

The White Bluff Town Council formally approved an agreement Tuesday night to accept the donation of skatepark equipment from the town of Burns and allocated $10,000 from its fund balance for setting up the new park. The council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Burns to accept the donation of equipment and assets of the skatepark that the Burns Board of Commissioners voted last month to close and donate to White Bluff. Projects Administrator Jeff Martin told the council he estimates it will take around $9,200 to move the equipment, excavate a site next door to the White Bluff Community Center, pour a concrete pad and set up the park. Martin said the estimate does not include fencing for the park because he is not sure how much fencing is going to be donated by Burns. Martin said the town has received a couple of pledges for public donations for the park project, but did not say how much. He said the excavation work will be done with city forces and a local lawn care business has pledged to move and set up the equipment at a “very reasonable rate.” The estimate includes $700 for gravel and $7,100 for the concrete foundation, but Martin said that might also be done for less money through local contributions. The council voted to amend its current budget by moving $10,000 out of its $324,000 fund balance to a line item specifically for establishing the new skatepark. Attorney Stan Reynolds said Burns attorney Tim Potter believes the Burns Commission’s vote last month to donate the equipment is sufficient to complete the transaction and the agreement approved Tuesday night by the White Bluff Town Council is simply the formalization of that exchange. Mayor Linda Hayes told the council Tuesday night the town is “ready to start making the move tonight.” White Bluff officials have said they hope to have the skatepark open by spring.