Commission Approves Bids Solicitation for City Park Splash Pad; Board Asks Staff to Seek Volume Pricing for Additional Sites

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to solicit bids for a splash pad at City Park and asked staff to explore whether bidding the City Park pad together with potential splash pads at Fairmont and the Aquatic Center would produce economies of scale. County staff said the splash pad at City Park is an impact-fee-funded project and that the county is working with the City of Griffin to provide utilities. Commissioners discussed whether to bid three separate projects or combine them in one procurement to seek a better price and to phase construction as funding allows. A county commissioner described City Park as the largest greenspace in Griffin and said the board favored a higher-quality installation there that includes separation from other park features. The board agreed staff should seek bids for City Park and gather consolidated pricing for the additional sites to inform future decisions. Commissioners clarified the funding source: this is a project-specific use of impact fees, not a general-fund appropriation. The board approved the solicitation 5-0 and directed staff to return with bid results and any price advantages for combined purchasing.