County eyes helping Cindy’s Bar with field lighting project

A proposal to tap into county power line impact fee funds to help with field lighting upgrades at Cindy’s Bar & Grill on Hwy 64, drew questions by members of the county’s finance committee last week.

Virgil Berndt of Cindy’s presented a request asking for $30,000 to help fund the project that was estimated to be between $40,000 and $60,000 in total. He noted that Cindy’s is used extensively in the summer as the host location for a number of benefit and fundraising tournaments. He said they allow the groups the use of the facilities and the proceeds of the concession stands. “It all goes to good causes,” Berndt said.

According to Berndt, upgrading the lighting would open up more opportunities to hold tournaments on their softball field. “We are one of the few places that promotes softball in the area” he said.

The power line impact fees are paid to the county each year from the Arrowhead to Weston high voltage transmission line that runs through the southern portion of the county. The money is placed into a fund groups can apply to for recreation and outdoors projects. The requests are reviewed by the county finance committee and passed onto the full county board at the April and October sessions for a final vote. By county rule, spending money from the fund requires a twothirds majority vote of the board.

County treasurer Sarah Holtz spoke in support of helping with the lighting project. She cited the amount of assistance the tavern gives with events held in the area. “He is there for the community, he is not out there for himself,” Holtz said of Berndt.

Committee chairman Chuck Zenner also supported the request. “This is what we are looking for, for this money. I think it is a good fit,” he said.

Committee member Scott Mildbrand raised a concern that giving to a private entity like a tavern could set a precedent. “I do worry about the precedent we would be setting,” he said.

County board chairman Jim Metz said he did not think it would be setting a precedent. He said the impacts of having a facility to host events stretched throughout the area. “They don’t just stay at the bar,” he said, noting visitors rent motel rooms, buy gas and go out to eat. “I don’t think it will hurt the community at all for bringing in extra money for the community,” he said.

Committee member Tim Hansen said he also had some reservations. “I hate the words slippery slope, but where does it stop,” he said, noting that it would be giving support to a for-profit business. Committee member Ray Soper echoed Hansen’s concerns about setting a precedent. Soper noted that all the other fields the county has given money to were either publicly owned or were nonprofits.

“I think it is a unique situation. I don’t have a problem with it,” Zenner replied.

Committee member Cathy Lemke said she was on the fence on it and suggested she would support a lower amount than what was asked for.

“It is going to help the community. It will help our youth and getting people out,” Metz said, noting that Berndt was going out on a limb with the project and that the county should help him out with it.

In the end, committee members voted 4-1 with Mildbrand opposed to recommend giving Cindy’s Bar and Grill $10,000 from the powerline impact fee grant fund. The request goes to the April 20 county board session for final action.