Watkinsville Council Approves ESP Concept Plan For Harris Shoals

The Watkinsville Council last week unanimously approved a concept plan for a Miracle League Field and new playground in Harris Shoals Park behind the Extra Special People two-building complex on VFW Drive.

The Council instructed the city staff and attorney to work out an operating agreement between ESP and the city to be considered and approved at a later date.

The proposal, presented by ESP Executive Director Laura Whitaker, was positively received by the five voting members of Council.

Mayor Bob Smith, however, said he was confused by the proposal, was uncomfortable with a commitment made by the Council before he became mayor to invest $440,000 of city money in the project, and did not think the Council should go forward with the plans at this point.

The disagreement was one of two between Smith and the Council that took up large parts of the 4 hour and 15 minute long meeting.

Smith also wanted Council to delay a vote on the city’s budget until it had been cut by 12 percent in anticipation of decreased revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council approved the just less than $2 million budget in a 5-0 vote.

For more on the story, with a video of the Mayor and Council meeting, please go to Oconee County Observations.