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Commissioners approve intergovernmental parks-and-recreation agreement amid questions over fees and exit terms
Summary
The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the cities of St. Marys and Kingsland and the PSA to coordinate parks and recreation programming; one commissioner asked for clearer fee schedules and more specific withdrawal/transition language for cities that might opt out.
Camden County commissioners voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of St. Marys, the City of Kingsland and the Public Service Authority (PSA) to coordinate parks and recreation operations and programming.
A motion to approve the IGA was made and seconded. County staff said the agreement is intended to centralize programming and operations, and staff noted the cities and the PSA had agreed to the language. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Commissioner 4 said the board had seen the updated agreement for the first time when the agenda was published and raised several concerns, asking the staff to clarify inconsistent references and to provide more specific guidance for a party that chooses to withdraw. "If someone wants to pull out of that agreement ... it's not really clearly defined what an exit from that agreement looks like," the commissioner said, noting the withdrawal clause requires a 180‑day notice and a transition plan but does not specify how assets, equipment or fees would be allocated during the process.
County staff (Julia) replied that an agreement with the Camden Soccer Club was being worked on separately and would be brought back to the board, and that the county will handle coordination with clubs and the PSA as the agreement is implemented. Staff said withdrawal mechanics (allocation of assets and continuity of services) are intended to be addressed during the 180‑day transition period but acknowledged the commissioner’s request to clarify those provisions.
Board members also discussed how cities that opt out could affect resident fees for PSA programming; staff said such details would be worked out with the individual municipalities. The IGA has a four‑year term as presented to the board.
What happens next: staff will finalize an agreement with the Camden Soccer Club and will bring any clarifying language about withdrawal and transition back to the board if the commissioners request additional changes.
