Peachtree City’s recreation programs have a unique financial structure that allows them to earmark money specifically toward improvements at each program’s location.

The “fenced accounts” consist of a per person per season fee charged of each youth sports association. The charge is $5 for each city or Fayette County participant, and $10 for out-of-county participants.

The city collects those fees and keeps a separate account for each association.

Those associations can, in turn, file a request to use those funds to improve their city-provided location. If approved, the city will reimburse the association upon production of receipts and any other needed documentation, McHugh said.

For example, the soccer association recently used some of its fenced account funding to help erect new lighting at the Meade soccer fields, said Recreation Administrator Sherry McHugh.

The baseball associations have also used funds to purchase Automated External Defibrillators to have at ballfields for emergencies. Also fenced account funds have been used to improve concession stands, replace signage and replace fencing.

The fenced account funds can only be used on facility improvements, McHugh explained.

“It’s not to send your team to Hawaii for a tournament,” McHugh said.

Because the fenced account fee is charged per participant per season, the sports with more players accrue more money quicker, McHugh noted.

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