Blackford County Council Approves $15,000 Sports Feasibility Study from Permit Fees

From the Blackford County Council meeting on July 8, 2026

The Blackford County Council voted 6-0 to spend $15,000 on a sports feasibility study to evaluate whether a sports complex is viable for the county.

The study will be conducted by Synergy Sports and funded entirely from accumulated building permit fees — not general tax revenue. The permit fee fund holds approximately $1 million. Council President Jack Beckley said similar studies typically cost $50,000 to $80,000, and the $15,000 price was negotiated down.

Payment will be split: half now, half 180 days after the study is completed. The study's scope includes demographics, local economy analysis, investor interest, and infrastructure assessment.

Beckley addressed public confusion about the vote: "I've heard that we were voting tonight to approve a $50 million sports complex. That's not the case." Council members emphasized this is a data-gathering exercise, not approval to build anything.

Public commenter Dennis Layman said a sports complex "might be a good idea" but argued the feasibility study should be paid by private interests rather than the county.

One council member expressed the sentiment of several: "I've been skeptical... but I also, I mean, I'd like to see if we're wrong."

Casey Dick made the motion. Kyle Lechien seconded. The vote passed 6-0, with Patrick Cale appearing absent.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County - County Council Meeting - July 08, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.