HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners began Thursday to discuss concerns they expect to confront when addressing multiple requests for a coordinated effort to enhance recreational trail development.

Commissioners Dave Kessling, Amy Webster and Laura Burke ended Thursday’s meeting without taking action. But each spoke of doing more research and continuing the discussion.

“I don’t think any of us came here with all the answers … but right now, there’s no one bringing all this together,” Kessling said Thursday.

During last week’s public meeting that drew more than 60 attendees, commissioners heard and reviewed written comments in support of recreational trails and the need to coordinate future efforts to enhance the trails developed so far.

Solicitor Nathan Karn advised commissioners Thursday that they have the option of creating an authority, an idea that surfaced last week. If commissioners opt for that, he said they would need to define the authority’s purpose.

During last week’s meeting and in written public comments reviewed at Thursday’s meeting, commissioners heard support for various types of trails that would be open to pedestrians as well as motorized and non-motorized means of travel. They also heard desires for efforts that would connect existing trails and create new trails allowing users to avoid roads and highways.

Karn also told the commissioners that if they create an authority and appoint members, it’s likely that the authority will want to hire an employee to handle day-to-day responsibilities involving the pursuit and administration of grants, thereby creating the need for revenue.

Karn pointed out that local water and sewer authorities bring in revenue through fees. The authorities managing the convention center and airport, he said, bring in revenue by renting space and providing services.

“As for a trail, I’m not sure how it would generate money to cover the cost of an employee,” Karn said.

Webster responded by asking how creative the county could be in looking for options. She recalled, from last week’s meeting, a reference to registration fees associated with use of ATV trails.

Kessling also asked if an authority could solicit financial support or sponsorships, prompting Karn to say it would be possible.

Burke told her fellow commissioners that she doesn’t think the county will be able to maintain the position of providing no financial support to the effort. She also mentioned that leaders in neighboring counties are acknowledging the lack of money to maintain the recreational trails they’ve developed.

“I don’t think we’re going to get off Scot-free in how it’s funded,” Burke said.

One possible option to get started, Burke revealed later in an email to the Mirror, would be to consider the Circuit Rider Grant Program offered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. That program offers financial help to governmental agencies that can be used to hire an employee who explores programs and services that cross multiple municipalities.

Burke said that cost is 100% funded the first year, with reduced funding over four years so there’s time to figure out longer-term funding.

Kessling, who said he and his family members are frequent trail users and visit other areas with recreational trails, said he sees the potential benefits from this pursuit.

“The financial impact, if we do it right, will be seen over the years,” Kessling said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.