BEDFORD -- The Indianapolis-based firm that drafted parks and recreation master plans for Roanoke and Roanoke County in recent years also will update Bedford County's comprehensive recreation plan.

The county's board of supervisors Monday evening narrowly voted to award the contract to PROS Consulting.

The estimated cost of the study is more than $47,000.

Supervisors Gary Lowry, Chuck Neudorfer, John Sharp and Dale Wheeler voted in favor of the contract.

"I am just reluctant to approve this because we already have a plan," said Montvale District Supervisor Annie Pollard, who voted against the contract. "I think we should stick with the plans we had."

The county's current recreation master plan was adopted in 1993 and includes provisions for a central park, three regional parks and several neighborhood parks. Since 1993, the county has acquired land for parks in Moneta and Montvale, and on Falling Creek Road in Bedford.

More than 15 years ago, the county's population was about 50,000. Today's estimates exceed 64,000, suggesting that the needs of the county have shifted, said Assistant County Administrator Frank Rogers.

The plan will "inventory facilities, look at demographic trends and try to identify priorities to make sure as we spend the capital money it is going to what the majority of citizens are asking for," said Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Stokes.

Theoretically, the master plan should be updated every five to seven years, Stokes said.

The board stalled the vote during the meeting to discuss an issue presented by Ruby Dooley, a Bedford citizen who regularly attends the county's board meetings.

Dooley brought to the board's attention an 1832 deed pertaining to the site on Falling Creek Road where several county-owned properties -- including a park, nursing home, group home and sheriff's department -- are located. According to the information Dooley presented to the board, there are covenants and restrictions tied to the deed that perpetuate the property's use as a "poor house."

County Attorney Carl Boggess said he is familiar with the deed. Boggess said he planned to discuss the issue with the board in a closed session following Monday's meeting and will issue a written opinion later, he said.