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Commissioners shift park maintenance in-house and rebid multiuse sports complex amid budget concerns
Summary
The board approved a budget amendment to bring county park maintenance into Public Works and voted to reject and rebid the multisport complex with scope reductions; commissioners debated fund-balance impacts and use of SPLOST and impact fees.
Camden County commissioners approved a budget amendment to transfer maintenance of 15 county-owned recreational facilities from the Public Service Authority (PSA) to the county’s Public Works department and voted to reject and rebid the multiuse sports complex with a reduced scope.
Jared presented the amendment asking the board to fund short-term operating costs and capital equipment to begin county-run maintenance on Jan. 1. The package would initially fund five new employees (one supervisor and four equipment operators) and capital items including three pickup trucks, zero‑turn mowers, trailers and landscaping equipment. Jared said $500,434 remains available in the unincorporated fund to cover the initial purchase and operating costs through June, with additional funding required in later fiscal years.
Commissioners asked how the change would compare to the county’s prior payments into the PSA (roughly $5.5–$5.75 million was cited as the total program budget), and staff said the county’s contribution to the PSA will be reduced by approximately $139,000 through June as a result of the transfer. Commissioners discussed long‑term sustainability, SPLOST Level 2 allocations ($1,385,000 for local park rehabilitation) and the county’s fund balance (reported near 27%), with several members cautioning against lowering reserves below the commonly recommended 25% floor.
On the multiuse sports complex, the board voted to reject the current bid and rebid the project with several deletions from the base scope: remove the 10% contingency line, remove the mobilization line item, omit demolition of Quonset huts (to maximize resale value), and remove playground and mini‑golf work, then solicit alternates. Commissioners discussed coordinating a PSA move off the property and using existing public‑works crews to complete infield work. The rebid passed after debate; one commissioner opposed proceeding with the reduced‑scope rebid.
Funding and next steps: Woodbine Lions Park fence work will proceed under a separate contract ($99,901) paid from park improvement and impact fees. Staff will move ahead with equipment procurement and hiring to assume maintenance responsibilities and will return with additional budget requests for FY27 and beyond.
