The contract was approved with Goettler Associates of Columbus on April 30.
The 10-month deal could cost up to $200,000. An office area will be set up, likely in the township building, providing a base of operations. Goettler won't go door-to-door seeking donations, but instead will give township volunteers the tools they need to raise the money and identify donors. The $2 million is a goal--not a guarantee.
Goettler will be working in the township three weeks per month in months one-five of the contract, and two weeks per month in months six-10. They will earn $15,000 a week. The contract also includes a $25,000 account to cover travel, lodging and expenses, and a $25,000 promotional materials fund. The township will also provide a campaign office with supplies, telephone, postage and meeting expenses.
"Any large organization that thinks they can do this on their own is just kidding themselves," said Commission President Ched Mertz. "Not one person on the board is experienced in this area. We need the experts to help, people who have years of experience. We just do not have the capability, we feel we could waste a lot of time getting nowhere."
Mertz said the firm will work with township volunteers to help identify gifts that make sense.
"They will do the basic groundwork, they will give us the training we need to go though the process of identifying folks in the township that we feel will respond best to the project. We hired Ketchum. Ketchum told us they feel confident there's $2 million out there, but if there is more, that's better.
"For naming rights, there's no way of telling what our potential is. Are we talking about naming the whole park? The center, or a pool? What are those things worth?" Mertz said.
Commissioner Robert Orchowski said he is extra sensitive to township finances given costs for tennis bubbles and retaining wall at the public works building are $155,000 over budget.
"We've got a lot of people raising money in this township. There's Citizens for Land Stewardship, the REEC (Regional Environmental Education Center), the Community Foundation and Zone 3. Exactly how much money can we ask our citizens to give? Where's the limit? How many more groups will come knocking at the door?
"What the board has done is lock us into spending $200,000 without any guarantee the $2 million will come. The horsepower exists on the board, the tax study commission knows who the heavy hitters are in the community. Sure, there's the 'pull-the-plug' provision, but the practical reality of pulling the plug on a multi-phase program is near zilch," Orchowski said.
Orchowski, who along with Commissioner Glenn Dandoy voted against hiring the consultant, said that Goettler in the interview process said the township may have missed its opportunity to get the money for the recreation center given bonds have already been sold to fund the work.
"Focusing on the whole park and not just the recreation center was the answer to that problem," Orchowski said. "I really hope the money is there. I just oppose spending $200,000 of our own money to get it."
Mertz said the construction at the recreation center is on schedule and under budget. He expects construction to be complete by February of 2009, with an opening in April or May 2009.
With the construction in the area, several athletic fields have been and will remain closed for safety reasons, Mertz said.