DAYTON, Tenn. — Rhea County commissioners recently voted to assist Dayton with improvements to a city recreation complex, but the commission’s vice chairman said the move is misguided.
Five commissioners voted to spend up to $27,500 to install lights on the tennis courts and build a concession stand at the Delaware Avenue recreation complex.
But Commission Vice Chairman Johnny Mincy said the money should go to other priorities.
“We have two school buildings that leak, school buses we need, Rhea Central (Elementary School) is overcrowded,” Mr. Mincy said.
“The city gets about $400,000 of the county sales tax increase and we get about $600,000,” he said. “I feel like we ought to let them do their own concession stand.”
In an earier budget committee meeting, Mr. Mincy noted that the Dayton City Council had turned down a commission request to support using the sales tax for school construction.
But others noted that the Rhea County High School tennis team has priority for use of the courts, and Rhea Central Elementary has priority use of one of the ball fields at the recreation complex.
Also at the meeting, Mr. Mincy said he will not seek re-election to the District 1 seat. District 3 commissioner Chris Goodwin also said he doesn’t plan to run again.