Residents and commissioners spent the largest portion of the Feb. 10 Board of Commissioners meeting debating whether Brentwood should build an indoor tennis and pickleball facility at Crockett Park and whether the city should put a bond referendum on a future ballot.

The discussion began during the public-comment period, when several residents urged action for and against the project. Devin McClendon said he represents “more than 1,900 registered Brentwood citizens who simply asked you, let's put this to a vote of the citizens,” and said many petition signers asked for time for “real data and real facts and debate and public input.” Ray Brown and Julie O'Neil described demand across age groups and said tournaments could bring hotel and restaurant revenue. Opponents and cautious residents asked for clearer cost estimates and wider public outreach; Janet Donahue said the ad hoc committee’s figures were unclear and that the city has not produced a reliable count of unique local players.

Commissioners framed the debate around process and finance. City Attorney Kristen told the commission that state law limits municipal referendums and that a referendum question must be framed around whether bonds should be issued for a project; the city cannot put a simple “do you support building X?” question on the ballot unless a bond vote for that project has already been approved by the commission. Commissioners repeatedly said they were waiting for final architect design plans and an independent pro forma before asking residents to vote.

Commissioner Spears read a motion asking that, after delivery of final design plans and an independent pro forma, staff host at least one public meeting that would be recorded and posted online, and that if the commission later votes to use bonds for the project the commission may attach a bond referendum to that decision. The motion was seconded, but attorneys and staff noted the item was not on the published agenda for the meeting and that state open-meeting rules require agendas to be posted at least 48 hours in advance. The second was withdrawn and the motion was not put to a vote; the maker and staff agreed the language could be placed on a future briefing or agenda so it can be considered properly.

Commissioners said publicly that they want residents to see the architect's drawings and the independent pro forma before any formal vote. Commissioner Spears also asked staff to place links to design plans and the pro forma on the city’s project page when those documents are available. Several commissioners — including McMillan and Donahue — said a referendum before design and verified costs would be premature; Commissioners Little and Dunn emphasized fiscal caution and said residents should have the chance to vote if a bond is required, noting prior offers from Williamson County to partner on the project and differing cost estimates circulating in public debate.

Speakers and commissioners cited varying cost figures during the meeting: Janet Donahue described an “ad hoc” report figure of about $11,000,000 for the facility alone while others referenced larger totals — $18 million to $25 million — when development and intersection work are included. Commissioner Little said the city has paid roughly $1.0 million so far on design and related work and that the city recently contracted an outside sports-management firm for roughly $25,000; Commissioner Dunn later described one planning estimate of $13,000,000 with $8,000,000 already available and a $5,000,000 gap, all as statements attributed to those speakers rather than as independently verified figures.

No formal decision was made at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff to continue the budget and planning process, to post future documents online, and to bring the matter back for public briefing and formal action consistent with open-meeting rules. Residents who testified were told they will have additional opportunities to review design documents and pro forma information before the commission considers issuing bonds or taking another binding financing step.

The commission did not vote on a referendum, and there was no vote to issue bonds at the Feb. 10 meeting.