Court approves funding and asks staff to bid for two pickleball projects

Pike County Fiscal Court on a motion approved moving forward with two pickleball projects after reviewing vendor quotes and discussing procurement compliance.

Public works staff Greg told the court that a complete new-park project at Hardy Park — including asphalt, fencing to match existing tennis-court fencing, resurfacing, line painting and nets — was quoted at $59,279.25. Converting the existing tennis court at Johnson Bottom (referred to in the transcript as Freeburn/Johnson Bottom) to four pickleball courts, with resurfacing and permanent nets, was quoted at $29,000. Greg said doing both projects would total $88,279.25.

Judge Jones moved to build four courts at Hardy Park and four at Johnson Bottom. Commissioners discussed park proximity, potential duplication of facilities, maintenance and usage patterns. Concerns were raised that Reed's (the resurfacing vendor) may be the only local provider and that costs exceeding $40,000 could trigger formal bidding requirements; the judge and county attorney Roy advised staff to obtain a county-attorney opinion and to put the project out to bid if required. "If it's a sole source, we may not have to [bid]," Greg said, but Judge Jones directed staff to proceed with bidding if necessary to protect taxpayers.

Commissioners voted to proceed with both projects; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. During discussion Judge Jones emphasized the court can reevaluate installing additional courts in future budgets if demand warrants.

Because the transcript contains inconsistent numeric formatting for the motion (one passage lists a slightly different combined total), staff were directed to verify final contract amounts and to follow legal procurement guidance before signing contracts.