By Jason C. Mattox

The City of Batesville has been asked to increase the lease payment for American Legion Park.

American Legion Commander Charles Overton, who heads the newly-reorganized local chapter, met with the board and asked for any assistance the city could provide for the park.

“At this point, the city pays $600 per year to lease the park,” he said. “I’m not really sure how long that lease has left on it.”

The lease is set to expire December 31, 2026, said Assistant City Attorney Colmon Mitchell.

“This is the only baseball park for adults in the city, and the $600 per year from the city barely covers the postage we use annually,” Overton said.

The American Legion currently has 40 members and is working to expand.

“We are trying to build it up and make it more viable,” he said. “We would appreciate anything the city can do to help us.”

Mayor Jerry Autrey asked what the city could legally do.

“Usually when the city enters into a contract, you don’t renegotiate, but there might be something else you can do,” Mitchell said.

Aldermen instructed Mitchell to investigate the matter further.