The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday to approve two fiscal matters and hear updates on county projects.
The board discussed the lease-purchase agreement for 50 golf carts with smart GPS controls at the golf course. According to Assistant County Manager Dawn Hudson, current golf carts will be traded in for the repurchase agreement of the previous lease.
“The payment for the full term is $510,443 over 60 months,” said Hudson. “Included with the golf carts this time will be a GPS system to keep golf carts on the course. A lot of problems they have is people drive off course and into the woods, damaging the carts. Hopefully, this will create a longer use of these carts.”
Commissioner Kendrick Butts asked how the golf carts will be stopped from going off course and Hudson explained that once a cart exits its GPS parameters it will automatically shut off. Commissioner Henry Craig commented to the public that this investment is a profitable venture that “pays for itself” and “could potentially increase revenue of the golf course,” which was the basis of his motion to accept the lease agreement.
“We are currently spending more and more each year to maintain the golf carts,” Hudson explained when asked why they needed to be replaced. “There are about 20,000 rounds of golf played at the golf course each year and there’s a lot of wear and tear on these carts over a five- or six-year period. This amount is already included in our budget. It is not additional but replacing the old lease.”
When discussion ended, the board voted 3-2, with commissioners Butts and Emly Davis opposing.
Commissioners also unanimously approved an amendment to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreement for construction of the new Harrisburg Park community center. This agreement had already been approved by DNR and is a part of the previously approved Harrisburg Park Conservative Fund grant.
The board unanimously approved $81,500 in additional funds from the Georgia Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Grant for the dislocated worker program. There is no county match.
County Manager Carlos Tobar later offered updates on several county projects. He reported the design proposal of the Collins P. Lee Memorial Library for the Harrisburg Park project likely will be issued this week. Road resurfacing construction was reported to begin Sept. 23, and Tobar reminded the public that Tire Scrap Amnesty Day is Sept. 28 at the road department (311 Linda Dr., Milledgeville).
Baldwin County will host its final public hearing on the proposed property tax increase Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. Following that hearing, a called meeting will be held to establish the 2024 millage rate.