Clay County staff outline plan to bring park mowing in‑house; commissioners ask for implementation and budget options

County staff presented a cost and operations analysis Tuesday that showed Clay County could save money by insourcing mowing and other routine park maintenance now performed under contract, and the Board of County Commissioners directed the county manager to return with a detailed implementation and transition plan.

The commission auditor's office and the county’s grounds maintenance team outlined a multi‑year estimate that would add one precision mowing crew (a lead mowing technician and three mowing/maintenance technicians), initial equipment purchases and recurring operating costs. Staff estimated a year‑one in‑house cost of about $383,258 and projected annual savings of about $194,721 in years two through seven, producing a cumulative seven‑year savings of roughly $1,292,002 before higher replacement costs appear in year eight.

The analysis presented to commissioners separated current contract costs from the in‑house projection. Staff said current annual contract costs for lawn mowing and field maintenance total about $507,121.25, covering 26 facilities by Florida Lawn Medics (community parks and select special properties) and AgriPro at the Regional Sports Complex (which also performs agronomic spraying under a separate line). To bring the contracted mowing in‑house for the listed properties, staff said they would need to add one crew, a truck, a trailer and three zero‑turn mowers in year one. Staff also included equipment…