Rep. Craig Ford to introduce sports complex bill

Rep. Craig Ford

State Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, said he will begin advertising a local bill to establish, by legislative act, the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority.

Ford said that will continue the efforts of the authority, which was set up last year by a House resolution, to consider the feasibility of a complex and report to the legislative delegation.

He said the new bill is needed to give Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, an appointment and to allow the authority to enter into contracts.

Ford said he will introduce legislation that will give the authority $145,000 to $150,000 in Tennessee Valley Authority funds in lieu of tax money that now goes to the County Commission to do some initial work and hire a director. He said when the County Commission bond issue that financed the jail and judicial building is paid off in 2016, the authority will receive $300,000 in funding from that source the following year.

Williams said the authority needs to be established by act rather than resolution, and he will support the legislation since the authority now will be able to pursue a facility as a matter of law.