February 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Municipal Golf Course is still available for lease.
The city has advertised in recent weeks seeking proposals from potential tenants and while a few initially expressed interest no one has stepped forward with a bid.
During a special called meeting Tuesday evening at city hall, the aldermen voted at the mayor’s suggestion to advertise for another two weeks but to expand the search for a new golf course tenant beyond Smithville to larger cities including McMinnville, Lebanon, Cookeville, and Murfreesboro hoping to attract some attention.
The city has also changed the terms in that the new golf course tenant will not be required to double as manager of the city swimming pool. That provision, city officials say may have kept some from submitting a proposal.
Meanwhile, the city is advertising to hire a manager of the pool. The job will be a part time seasonal position at 40 hours a week. Pay will be subject to experience. The city is also taking applications to fill life guard positions at the pool for this summer.
Plans are in the making to repair the pool which is leaking badly. During Tuesday night’s meeting, the aldermen accepted two bids from D&J Restoration LLLP of Cadiz, Kentucky including one in the amount of $7,360 to repair leaks and expansion joints and the other for $7,000 to make gutter area tile repairs and caulking.
In other business, the aldermen voted to spend up to $16,000 for labor and materials to build a new 36 x 60 metal shed at the golf course to replace an older storm damaged shed on the property. The city will tear down the old shed and hire someone to build the new one which will be larger to house more equipment. Funds to pay for the project will come from the city’s $24,500 insurance claim for the damage.
The aldermen also voted to enter into an agreement with the Fiddlers Jamboree Committee to lease the city parking lot across from city hall during the weekend of the Jamboree for the next five years at $2,500 per year.