August 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Almost a year ago, the City of Smithville entered into a one year agreement with RiverWatch Golf & Resort to upgrade and maintain the golf course for a year.
The cost was over $70,000. With the agreement set to expire August 31 and the new owners of RiverWatch having decided to pass on renewing a deal, the aldermen have chosen to purchase golf course maintenance equipment as the city starts taking on the responsibility.
During a special meeting Thursday night, the aldermen voted to purchase a package of equipment from Abell Turf & Tractor of Georgia including mowers, tractor, and blower for $22,750 plus delivery costs to be paid from revenues generated in the city’s golf course fund. Another piece of equipment, a zero turn mower and spreader is expected to be bought from Tri Green Equipment for $10,000 under a state government bid contract to be funded from another line item of the budget, possibly parks and recreation.
Ken Lacy, manager of the golf course and swimming pool, recommended that the aldermen make this purchase as the city takes on the sole responsibility for maintaining the course.
“We can purchase this without having to amend the budget because we have enough money allotted in the golf course budget to buy equipment. We put money in the budget to cover RiverWatch before we knew they were not going to renew their contract and we have accumulated revenue in that fund from Golf Course receipts since April. That is enough to cover our equipment for the city to take over the golf course,” said City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson.
After the special meeting, Lacy informed the aldermen that the city swimming pool is in need of repairs to stop leaks. Lacy has contacted a company which is offering a performance contract to come and check the pool for leaks. According to Lacy, the company will review and diagnose the problem and provide an estimate on the repair costs.