Montgomery County approves $183 million budget, includes $500K for Whitewater
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — The Montgomery County Commission approved a $183.1 million budget Tuesday, including $500,000 for Montgomery Whitewater, despite concerns from some commissioners about the facility’s finances.
The budget passed 3-2. District 4 Commissioner Isaiah Sankey voted against it, citing concerns about continued county funding for Montgomery Whitewater.
“We’ve tapped into ARPA funds, we’ve tapped into even the fund that was there to pay back the Bond issue, the rental tax fund,” Sankey said. “We’ve tapped into that to cover some day-to-day expenses at Whitewater and now I’m just insisting on some accountability.”
Sankey said he has repeatedly requested audited financial statements from Montgomery Whitewater for 2023 and 2024. The board overseeing the facility is conducting an audit, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“We’ve extended a $7.5 million credit line to Whitewater without any financial statements, any opportunity to assess their ability to repay the money,” Sankey said.
District 3 Commissioner Justin Castanza voted in favor of the budget. He says the goal is not to guarantee Whitewater continues to operate exactly as it does now, but to give the facility a chance to change its business model.
“We’re not saying bypassing the budget today that Montgomery Whitewater will exist in the future in its current state,” he said. “What we are saying is that we are committed to Montgomery still having an opportunity to have not just public entertainment, but community engagement.”
Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton said the facility is just one aspect of the Maxwell Gateway Project and there will be exciting developing economic news coming to that part of Montgomery soon.
“We’ve always included Montgomery Whitewater as a line item in our budget since the park has opened, half a million in operating expenses as they continue to grow. Like any new business, it takes 3, 4 or 5 years to get where you’re self-sufficient, so we continue to help them along with the City of Montgomery,” Singleton said.
Montgomery Whitewater opened in July 2023. The 120-acre facility includes whitewater rafting and other outdoor recreation activities. The facility has added attractions such as a ropes course and zip line, while plans for additional development have also been discussed.
Montgomery Whitewater announced Saturday that it had closed for the season. The closure appears to include all activities at the facility, including its trails, ropes course, zip lines and restaurant. The board said the facility is transitioning to offseason operations and maintenance.
The county’s approved budget also includes expanded capital improvement projects, construction of a community center inside Montgomery’s city limits, a probate office in east Montgomery and $500,000 for the Montgomery Regional Airport. You can see what else was approved in the budget – Montgomery County Budget Fiscal Year 2027
