Commissioners approve three-year Wildcat Park contract, increase first-year compensation

Houston County commissioners approved a three-year contract with Wildcat Park managers that raises the first-year compensation from $52,000 to $54,000 and moves reservation management to on-site park managers, county staff said.

Carol summarized the committee’s review with Justin and Jenna and explained the principal contract changes: a compensation adjustment for the first year and an operational change assigning online reservations and customer support to park managers rather than county staff. The change in compensation was described in the meeting as effectively about $1,000 after prior arrangements.

Commissioners discussed reservation issues that arose in prior seasons — including billing errors when monthly reservations did not extend through the desired dates and refund handling after flooding. The board emphasized that flood-related refunds or closures will be addressed on an incident-by-incident basis and that any county action would be taken as needed.

The approved contract is three years; compensation for the second and third years will be negotiated annually and recorded by contract addendum rather than issuing an entirely new contract each year. Commissioners also noted an earlier positive health-department report and few prior complaints about operations.

The board voted to approve the contract by voice vote.