Clay County Grounds Maintenance Team Proposes Bringing Mowing Operations In House

In a recent Clay County Board of County Commissioners meeting, discussions centered on the potential transition of park maintenance from contracted services to in-house management. This move aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs associated with maintaining county parks and facilities.

The meeting highlighted the current structure of the grounds maintenance team, which consists of 11 employees responsible for mowing and maintaining various parks, including 12 athletic association parks and three boat ramps. The team also conducts playground inspections, trash disposal, and general upkeep of park facilities. Currently, the county spends over $507,000 annually on contracts with external companies for mowing services at 26 facilities, including community parks and FEMA properties.

A detailed analysis presented during the meeting suggested that bringing these services in-house could save the county approximately $123,000 in the first year alone, with total savings projected to exceed $1.2 million over the first seven years. The proposal includes hiring additional staff and acquiring necessary equipment to manage the expanded responsibilities effectively.

Commissioners expressed concerns regarding the feasibility of managing a larger number of parks with a relatively small increase in staff. Some emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards for park upkeep, particularly as the county continues to grow. The discussion also touched on the maintenance of FEMA properties, with some commissioners questioning the long-term implications of maintaining these lands, which were acquired due to flooding issues.

The meeting concluded with a call for further evaluation of the proposal, particularly regarding the staffing levels needed to ensure that all parks are adequately maintained. The board is expected to revisit this topic in future meetings, weighing the benefits of in-house management against the challenges of maintaining service quality across a growing number of facilities.