(The following is a regular column by the Barnwell city administrator on actions and events in whcih the city is involved.)

There has been several questions lately concerning the funding of the various city projects. Many residents may have questions and concerns about the city's various projects, especially in a time when the economy is slumping.

First of all, these projects were started more than a year ago when the economy was booming, and once committed to, the projects have to continue to completion.

Here is a rundown of each project and an explanation for each as well as an expected project completion.

• Lemon Park sports complex: This project was approved by City Council because they understood the need for a recreation area for citizens and to generate tourism in the city through various tournaments. Barnwell Recreation Director Emily Randell already has booked six baseball tournaments for 2009. The funding for the complex comes from the hospitality and accommodation taxes, a $194,250 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and unbudgeted cash reserves the city has.

The city has entered into a lease/purchase agreement with BB&T Bank for the project. The city of Barnwell will make 15 annual payments of $182,218.06 to pay off the lease on the complex.

The four 200-foot fields, concession stand and the multi-purpose field will be completed and playable for the 2009 recreational baseball and softball season beginning April 18.

The rest of the park, including a 300 foot baseball field, T-ball field and playground, will be completed by the end of June.

The city invites everyone to come to the Lemon Park dedication ceremony April 17 at 6 pm.

Visitors to the park shouldn't be concerned if they do not see beautiful green grass right away. As the grass variety was replaced, the new grass variety has not come to full maturity.

• City Hall Project: The City Hall renovation was part of the master plan developed for the city of Barnwell in 2006.

City Council's plan was to save a magnificent building located on the Circle; provide a City Hall that would be adequate for city government for the foreseeable future and locate its activities in a core business area.

The funding for this project came from unbudgeted reserve funds of the city, and a general obligation bond sale.

BB&T Bank gave the city the best bid for the bonds. These will be repaid by the city by an increase in tax millage. This increase will be listed separately on a resident's tax bill. Currently the city treasurer is working to determine what the millage increase will be.

The payment period is over 11 years with an annual payment of $111,836.20. The project is on schedule and will be completed by July 20.

• Circle upgrades: The Circle upgrade project is funded by a grant received from the S.C. Department of Traansportation for $196,138.66. The city portion of this project - $49,034.66 - was obtained from the city's saving account. This project is on schedule and will be completed by early May.

• Smaller projects: The new fountain in the Circle was funded by a S.C. Office of Budget and Control Board grant of $24,000.

A PARD grant for $65,000 for the Fuller Park basketball courts and landscaping of the Fuller Park hill was also received. The landscaping portion will start within the next two weeks.

The city parking lot project was completed with county C funds for repaving and funds budgeted from the city for landscaping. The new landscaping on the circle was done with a Palmetto Pride grant of $4,000.

If residents still have additional questions, they shoould feel free to call the city administrator's office at (803) 259-3266.

Barnwell has been asked by Ella Gardner, an MRC coordinator, to set up an information meeting on the Medical Reserve Corps.

The MRC was founded after the 9/11 attack to provide a national system of volunteers. These MRC units are community based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers. Volunteers include medical and public health professionals, veterinarians, interpreters, chaplains, office workers and other vital support positions.

If interested in learning more, come to Gardner's presentation at the Barnwell County Library May 20 at 5:30 pm.