Columbia County approves consent agenda covering park contracts, proclamations and vendor renewals

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a consent agenda March 18 that included renewals of several park concession and services contracts, an information-technology support agreement and two proclamations, county staff said.

The consent items covered included a three-year renewal of the county's CityWorks/ESRI integration support agreement with Wolpert, contract renewals for kayak and bicycle rentals at Savannah Rapids, a Keg Creek Watersports renewal at Wildwood Park, a field-use agreement with the Georgia Bulls Soccer Club, renewed glamping and tennis instruction contracts, and multiple small donations and proclamations. County staff recommended approval on each item and the board moved the items to consent and approved them without separate roll-call votes.

County staff said the Wolpert renewal covers the bridge between the Trimble CityWorks product and the county's Esri GIS software and is a three-year agreement. "They do exceptional work," Mr. Blanchard, a county staff member who presented the item, said during the meeting.

Parks and recreation items approved in the consent package included: a Savannah Rapids bicycle rental contract that yields $4,500 annually to the county; a separate Savannah Rapids kayak rental contract that yields about $7,200 annually; a Keg Creek Watersports renewal that generates roughly $6,800 per year; a field-use agreement with the Georgia Bulls Soccer Club that yields about $50,000 annually; a Georgia Glamping Company renewal that generates about $37,000 annually; and a Petersburg Tennis Academy agreement projected to bring about $15,000 annually. Staff told commissioners the county advertises or solicits bids when full contracts expire to allow competition for concessions and services.

The board also approved small donations and proclamations on consent: donations of $200, $100 and $200 to Bridal Services (three donors listed), a $2,500 senior-center donation from WellCare, and proclamations to observe National Plant Month and Loyalty Day at upcoming commission meetings. Staff said the Loyalty Day request came from Scott Killebrew of a local VFW post.

Other items on the consent agenda included a short-term independent contractor agreement for an accountability-court position for the period March 17 to May 31, 2025 (rate and hours described by staff), and a service agreement with the Clarks Hill Committee to support tournaments and programs at Wildwood Park with a $5,000 payment from the hotel/motel line.

Votes at a glance

- Renew Wolpert CityWorks/Esri support agreement (three-year renewal): approved (motion to consent; second; voice approval). Presented by Mr. Blanchard, county staff. - Independent contractor agreement for accountability court, March 17–May 31, 2025 (hourly rate and weekly hours stated by staff): approved (motion to consent; second). - Service agreements and concession renewals: Savannah Rapids bicycle rental ($4,500 annually): approved. - Keg Creek Watersports renewal (5% of gross; ~ $6,800 annually): approved. - Savannah Rapids kayak rental (~ $7,200 annually): approved. - Georgia Bulls Soccer Club field-use agreement (~ $50,000 annually): approved. - Georgia Glamping Company renewal (~ $37,000 annually): approved. - Petersburg Tennis Academy agreement (~ $15,000 annually): approved. - Clarks Hill Committee support agreement ($5,000 from hotel/motel line): approved. - Bridal Services donations (three donors: $200, $100, $200): approved. - Senior center donation — WellCare ($2,500): approved. - Proclamations: National Plant Month and Loyalty Day: approved.

Commissioners asked routine operational questions about competition for contracts, field scheduling and whether donations were affiliated with established "Friends" groups; staff replied that bids are solicited when full contracts expire and that field scheduling is coordinated with leagues and concessionaires. No formal roll-call vote totals were stated in the transcript; items were approved on motions moved and seconded and recorded as "so moved."