Board hires Thomas Walker pool staff and awards county mowing contract to Bowen’s Lawn Care

Lee County supervisors approved two routine operational items during the recess meeting: the hiring of Thomas Walker pool staff and a multi-site mowing contract.

Supervisors voted to hire the recommended list of seasonal employees for Thomas Walker pool; the board’s minutes record a motion and unanimous approval to accept the presented candidate list so lifeguards and attendants could begin the 2025 season.

The board also awarded the county’s 2025 contract mowing work to Bowen’s Lawn Care and Landscaping. The bid approved by the board was $2,030 per month and covered lawn mowing, trimming and weed removal for county properties, including the airport (biweekly there, weekly at other sites). Several supervisors debated the value of outsourcing mowing when the county employs workers who perform grounds tasks; one supervisor opposed the contract on the grounds that it increased county costs and might reduce employee hours. Supporters argued that outsourcing reduces fuel and vehicle wear on county trucks and allows county staff to focus on other maintenance tasks.

A motion to award the contract carried with a recorded on-the-floor count of 3–2 in favor. Supervisors said they would monitor how the contract performs and return later with a plan describing how county staff will be reallocated to other projects if mowing is outsourced.

Why it matters: awarding the mowing contract and confirming seasonal pool hires allows recreational services to open on schedule and sets the county’s grounds maintenance plan for the summer season.

What’s next: the county will put the new mowing schedule into effect for the 2025 season and will track contract performance and staff reassignments for future discussion.