City manager: It may take Marble Falls EDC to get sports complex up and running

MARBLE FALLS — Instead of a tax increase okayed by voters, the Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. may offer the best chance to create a regional sports complex to boost revenue for the area, the city manager has indicated.

Otherwise, construction of the complex may have to be supported by a city tax increase approved by voters, City Manager Ralph Hendricks told the City Council and other attendees during a conference June 2.

Meanwhile, a return on investments must also be considered before the city commits to building the complex or any other costly projects, Hendricks added during the council retreat.

Although the construction of a sports complex is often cited as a popular future project, there is no clear-cut method to fund it, Hendricks said.

"I don’t know how much a sports complex would cost," Hendricks told the council and other attendees. "But I think it is one of the things the EDC could support. From what I can see, that (EDC funding) is the only way to get it done."

IN PHOTO: Several City Council leaders listen intently as City Manager Ralph Hendricks (not pictured) discusses future projects during a council retreat June 2 at the Marble Falls Independent School District Community Room. Attendees included (clockwise) Mayor George Russell and council members Richard Lewis, Sharon Pittard, Jane Marie Hurst, Ryan Nash and John Packer. Staff photo by Raymond V. Whelan