Taylor County approves Perry Garden Club lease; commissioners seek tree inspection before funding removal

The Taylor County Board of County Commissioners on an undated meeting approved a signed lease with the Perry Garden Club and agreed to commission a county inspection to verify which trees present a falling risk before authorizing county funds for removal.

The lease under consideration came in two versions: a county-drafted document and a revised lease submitted and signed by the Perry Garden Club. County Manager Lawanda Pemberton told the board the revised lease (lease B) contains language placing responsibility on the county to remove trees that could fall on the Garden Club building because the club lacks wind damage insurance, and to assist with mowing and minor cleanup "upon request from the Perry Garden Club." A Perry Garden Club representative said the club has maintained the building since 1970 and sought explicit lease language allowing limited, short-term rentals and clarity on rent income use. "We've been maintaining the building since 1970," the club representative said.

Why it matters: commissioners expressed concern about county budget constraints and the potential cost of removing marked trees next to the club building. The club says at least three trees are clearly dead and there are about a dozen trees the club considers hazards; County staff estimated roughly $750 per tree in a prior discussion and the club said their recent investment in the building exceeded $40,000.

Board action and follow-up The board voted to approve the signed lease as presented. Commissioner Moody made the motion and Commissioner Figuero seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote ("Aye"). The board did not immediately authorize funds for tree removal. Instead, staff (county) agreed to have a county-appointed representative or a forestry/arborist re-inspect the trees marked by the club, verify which are hazardous, and return to the board with an exact tree count and cost estimate. County staff indicated the county would bring back a formal request to transfer funds if removal is required.

Discussion details and constraints County staff and commissioners repeatedly emphasized the need for verification before spending. Commissioner comments stressed budget limits and asked for specificity: which trees must come out, what the county cost would be, and whether timber sale options could offset expenses. County staff explained prior practice when county-owned trees presented immediate danger: the county has removed damaged or dangerous trees in the past. Staff also said previous offers from loggers to cut trees at no cost to the club or county would, if pursued formally, require a public bidding process and that any timber sale receipts typically go back to the county rather than directly to a private club.

Clarifications recorded in the meeting - Estimated per-tree cost discussed by participants: about $750 per tree (figure discussed by participants; not a formal county estimate). - Identified trees: club representatives said three trees are clearly damaged or dead and about a dozen are potential hazards; the county requested a re-inspection to verify the exact number. - Lease term language: the lease includes a 20-year initial term with an option to renew for another 20 years (participants described this as up to 40 years total if renewed).

Next steps County staff will arrange an arborist/forestry inspection, verify which trees present a risk to the Perry Garden Club buildings, compile a count and cost estimate, and return to the commission with a funding request if removal is recommended. The approved lease will be executed according to the signed version presented to the board.

Ending The board approved the lease and set the narrower question of funding tree removal for a future meeting after staff verification of hazardous trees and a cost estimate.