Residents push for Sanderson Community Center repairs; commissioners ask staff for budget amendment numbers

Doug Moore, a Glen St. Mary resident, told the Baker County board on Aug. 12 he has been organizing a small local effort to repair and reactivate the Sanderson Community Center, which serves as a voting precinct and community meeting place. Moore said building plans and an architect’s review are complete and that several local contractors and donors have pledged support; he estimated about $50,000 would allow the community to replace windows and doors, repair the bathrooms (which require a lift station or accessible addition) and make the facility usable.

Board response and next steps: Commissioners and staff said the county does not currently have $50,000 available in the current fiscal year without a budget amendment. Staff advised Moore that the project could be included in the upcoming budget workshops (funds available Oct. 1) or be advanced immediately only if the board authorized a budget amendment funded from reserves. Several commissioners urged moving quickly to take advantage of volunteer availability and donated materials; the board directed staff to prepare a firm itemized estimate for the repairs and bring a recommended budget amendment or a funding plan to the next meeting so the commission could decide whether to fund the work now or include it in the next fiscal year.

Why it matters: The center serves residents in a part of the county with few gathering places and also functions as a voting precinct; the building is in disrepair, lacks an ADA‑accessible restroom and had an emergency cost (a new well) taken from the center’s limited funding. Restoring the facility would preserve a community asset used for meetings, voter precinct operations and health/clinic events, but the county must decide how to allocate limited capital and reserve funds.

Provenance: public comment begins at roughly s=1274 in the meeting transcript (Doug Moore).