Cuba Board of Aldermen discussed on May 5, putting park tax on Aug. 4 ballot.

Mayor Pitts Lesesne said that it is not an increase, but to renew the tax as it is.

“The best thing about it is everybody that’s traveling the highway and buying something in town is paying taxes, is helping us maintain our parks (and) provide our equipment,” Lesesne said. “If we lose this park tax, we still have to provide those same services, but…(the) people that are in this town will be footing that bill by themselves.” 

A motion to put the park tax on the Aug. 4 ballot was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Cuba Parks and Recreation Board made recommendations on April 28 for hiring pool positions.

A motion to approve Michael Volner as assistant manager; Caroline Fancher, Trishelle Damo and Aaleigha Decker as lifeguards and Takyrah Horsefield and Izabella Robertson as front desk and concession workers was approved with a 5-0 vote.

The board also recommended selling pool passes to the Cuba Middle School at a discounted rate of $600 instead of $765 at full price. Lainie Garbo said that this was brought up last year, but the board was advised against it by their legal counsel. The decision was tabled.

Cuba Board of Aldermen appointed new Cuba Parks and Recreation board members on May 5, each with a 5-0 vote, and announced term expirations.

Ashley Wells and Roslind Reiner were already appointed to the board on April 21, but Lesesne announced that they were replacing Michael Dowdy and Christina Young. Wells’ term expires May 1, 2028, and Reiner’s May 3, 2027, term expiration was also set. With his term expiring on May 1, 2028, Josh Heppermann was appointed in place of Maurie Smith. Ximena DeLuna, with her term ending on May 3, 2027, will be replacing Board Secretary Stacy Romo.

Lesesne said she is going to bring the youth opinions to the board.

“Ximena is 19-years-old. She’s going to be the youth on our board,” Lesesne said.

Beth Kight was reappointed to the board, and Diane Cooper and Monica Harris were appointed, each with a May 7, 2029, term expiration, to replace former board president Karen Groom and former vice president Faye Howard. 

There was some discussion on looking for surplus bids for the old Tangle Creek pavilion. Alderman Ward 1 Louis Raineri was concerned that the city could be held liable if the bidder got hurt because they are also responsible for tearing the pavilion down.

City Attorney Emily Guffey of Williams, Robinson and Wiggins said the city could be liable, but agreed with Lesesne that a city employee supervising would help.

A motion to go out for bids was approved with a 4-1 vote, with Raineri against.