Gov. Bill Lee shot down the county’s Appropriation Amendment request to the state for wi-fi upgrades in community ballparks. 

County Executive Jimmy Haley was hoping to use some ARP money to do wi-fi upgrades in all the ballparks around the county. This included the softball fields at Morrison, Centertown, and Midway and the soccer fields at Pistole Park.

The plan was to partner with Ben Lomand Connect to provide the broadband expansion in community parks. 

In his County Executive Report for June, Haley says the request was denied.

“Just received word from Sen. Bowling that our Appropriations Amendment request to the State Budget for wi-fi upgrades at all our community parks was not approved,” said Haley in his report. 

“Gov. Lee had other priorities so we will continue to seek out additional funding for this project,” Haley said.

Earlier this year, there were concerns the upgrades might not fall under a category the ARP money can be used for. The spending process of the money has been heavily scrutinized by the state. 

The request was rejected, but the county will be looking into other ways to fund the wi-fi upgrades.