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Aldermen have debated hiring SWT, hiring a local design firm to develop a plan, or use a drawing submitted to the city by an engineering firm, Cochran. Local engineering firms have said they could not provide the same type of service as SWT.
The East Park Development Committee recommended the city hire the firm. That committee is comprised of elected officials, appointed park board members, sports organization representatives and city staff.
Aldermen against hiring a firm to provide plan say the cost is too high, while those in favor of hiring SWT say that the cost is justified due to the overall cost of the project.
"I have a problem with spending $25,000," said Alderman Jim Albrecht. "One of my constituents said that is too much."
Alderman Paul Arand echoed what some others have said about hiring the firm for months.
"I feel it is a lot of money, but in the long term this is a $4-5 million project and you are going to have engineering costs and that is a lot of money," he said.
Arand added that SWT could help secure grants for the project and in the end save the city money.
SWT will suggest how the city can fund the complex - if it can be purchased up front, through bonds, or if the city should ask voters to approve a tax initiative.
Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Arand added that SWT will provide more than a design of the sports complex, will poll residents and research what park and recreation needs must be met.
SWT will suggest how the city can fund the complex - if it can be purchased up front, through bonds, or if the city should ask voters to approve a tax initiative.
"I think this company will do a lot more prepping than a normal engineering firm would do," he said. "If the city goes for a tax levy, we better have something for everybody in the city of Union."
Plans call for new football, soccer, baseball and softball fields, as well as possible playgrounds, pavilions, concessions, walking trails and restrooms.
Earlier this year, the Franklin County Youth Sports Organization (FCYSO) reorganized to promote the sports complex and raise funds to complete the project. The park will be located on 44 acres of ground located off Denmark Road south of Highway 50 for sports fields.
Albrecht argued that the city already has representatives of sports organizations on the East Park Development Committee providing input on what is needed in the project.
City Administrator Russell Rost noted that those representatives are who recommended the city hire SWT.
Paul Arand said SWT would provide the information needed to determine how many of each type of sports field truly is needed at the east park location, and what type of sports fields should stay at other locations in the city.
Albrecht also stated that 75 percent of Union residents would never use the park. Paul Arand said that is "not true" and many Union residents would use the complex.
Alderman Bob Schmuke noted that when residents, or businesses, consider relocating to an area, they consider the area's school, and park systems. "If they want to come to this area, that is what they look at," he said.
Rost added that after a story was published in The Missourian about a possible city sales tax to fund the project, some residents said they would not vote for the tax if the east park is built only for sports with no other amenities.
At the most recent east park development committee meeting, there was discussion of a possible new capital improvement sales tax to fund the project. A quarter-cent sales tax was mentioned by committee members. Alderman Dale Schmuke cautioned about publicly using a figure prematurely. Officials added that the committee only was talking about possible funding sources.
"I think we should be very cautious of what we put out there," he said. "We have no idea what we are looking at."
Isgriggs asked what the city would do if SWT suggested a sales tax to fund the project, but voters did not pass the tax initiative.
"What happens if we spend $25,000 of taxpayers' money and we get nothing?" he asked.
Rost said if the city hires SWT, it will provide "something to move forward with" and the plan would be usable for several years.
