Cobb Field officially on November ballot

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City Council members say they'll work hard to make sure a new downtown baseball stadium wouldn't cost taxpayers more than $12.5 million.

But the final cost of the bond issue could be somewhat less than that, depending on how much money from other sources pours in before November general election.

The City Council agreed Monday to place a bond issue of up to $12.5 million on the Nov. 7 ballot. That's the amount recommended by the Cobb Field Steering Committee, which has worked to develop a new baseball stadium for more than a year.

Private contributions sought
Councilman Don Jones, assuring the audience that he's a passionate baseball fan, argued that baseball supporters should "step up to the plate" and limit the cost to taxpayers by making private contributions. But his amendment, which would have limited the bond amount to $10 million, came up short. Only Mayor Ron Tussing, Councilman Larry Brewster and Jones voted for the amendment. Jones also cast the only no vote when the council agreed to place the bond issue on the ballot.
Preliminary estimates indicate that a new baseball stadium worth $12.5 million would cost a homeowner whose house is worth $150,000 about $40 to $50 per year for 20 years.

Jones said he would support building a stadium that costs up to $15 million as long as $5 million came from private donations. Despite an earlier poll that showed majority support for a new stadium, Jones predicted a close vote in November and said reducing the bond amount to $10 million would help ensure its passage.

Even if private donors don't come forward, Jones said, "you could build a very nice stadium for $10 million."

Tax increase could hurt
Councilman Chris "Shoots" Veis said he supports the bond issue but that the council must also acknowledge that many people are living on fixed incomes and can't afford the tax increase.

Tussing said he would have liked to see private donors ante up earlier in the process. Significant private donations have been used for trail projects and the construction of a community soccer complex at Amend Park. Asking taxpayers for a $12.5 million bond issue doesn't compel private donors to contribute, Tussing said.

A month ago, the council delayed action on placing the proposed bond issue on the ballot as the city continues conversations with an anonymous donor who has proposed making a major contribution toward the stadium.

Likewise, Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., last week announced that he is pursuing $500,000 in federal money to defray the stadium cost. The proposed federal appropriation is included in the 2007 Treasury, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

Others said private donors have ample opportunity to contribute to the stadium because the bond issue says only that the amount wouldn't exceed $12.5 million.

Councilman Ed Ulledalen said he has heard broad community support for rebuilding Cobb Field and said the bond issue is an opportunity "to create a crown jewel smack dab in the middle of the city."

Trying to build a stadium on the cheap isn't a workable option, Ulledalen said, noting that Missoula spent $9 million to $10 million on a baseball stadium that still needs a $3 million in investment to complete.

"This is a case where the committee has done a good job. This is a good fit for the community," Ulledalen said. "It would be a mistake to put the bond issue at less than $12.5 million."

Councilwoman Nancy Boyer said it's important for the council to present a unified voice of support for the bond issue.

"I feel it's our responsibility to make it a positive and purposeful vision" that will benefit future generations, she said.

Councilman Vince Ruegamer, a member of the steering committee, promised to "watchdog" the stadium to make sure it doesn't exceed $12.5 million.

Councilman Jim Ronquillo said the steering committee has already achieved substantial savings.

"It started out at $15 million, but we got it down to $12.5 million," Ronquillo said. "We cut out all the bells and whistles."

Earlier in the meeting, during a public comment period, Cobb Field Steering Committee member Woody Hahn said the new stadium represents a major opportunity for the city. Communities that have built new baseball stadiums have flourished, he said.

John Brewer, president of the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce, described the stadium as a legacy project that would benefit the community for the next 50 years. The chamber supports the bond issue, he said.