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Board renews external golf-spray contract while staff pursue pesticide licenses
Summary
The board approved a third year of contracted golf spraying at $40,000 while staff are being trained and prepared to take the work in-house; chemicals remain a city expense, and board members discussed potential pay adjustments for licensed staff.
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 5 approved a professional-services agreement for contracted golf spraying with Tony Staley of Specialized Services for a third consecutive year while staff work to obtain licenses to perform the work in-house.
Shannon told the board the contract is for roughly $40,000 for services only; chemicals are not included and will continue to be purchased by the city. Staff said the contractor is training two department employees, and both the green superintendent and assistant green superintendent have begun the licensing process with testing underway.
Board members and members of the public urged that licensed staff receive compensation adjustments to retain them once certified. Staff said adjustments to salary or step increases would require an internal salary-order process and council approval, and that the 2026 budget process (beginning internally in April) would be the appropriate venue to propose any pay differentials tied to new certifications.
Why it matters: bringing spraying in-house could save the city money over time, but chemicals and oversight remain departmental costs. Training staff reduces vendor dependency, but the board must consider retention incentives for employees who obtain specialized certification.
Staff said the contractor performs some of the work and provides hands-on training so staff are prepared when licensed. The board approved the contract by voice vote and directed staff to monitor licensing progress and include possible compensation changes in future budget discussions.
Ending: Staff will report licensing progress to the board and include any recommended compensation adjustments in budget proposals for 2026.
