Council members raise concerns over Anderson Road County Park project

GRANGER, Ind. -- Four St. Joseph County Council members spoke Monday against reviving a retired bond that, if approved, would fund the Anderson Road County Park project.

Council members, led by Amy Drake, held a press conference about the matter at St. Patrick’s Park in front of the park's old amphitheater, a building in need of serious roof repair. Their concern is that projects like the amphitheater won’t get the necessary attention they need if money is spent on building a new park in Granger.

Councilman Joe Thomas also brought up operating costs as a concern.

Another point council members raised was that county residents already have enough to deal with because of property taxes rising as a result of high assessments.

Drake also pointed out that Senate Bill 1 would lead to funding caps in the near future for the county as a whole.

Proponents of the bond say the Granger community has been asking for a park for more than 20 years, and that now is the time to get the park underway without significantly impacting local property taxes.