Flagler tennis body offers to manage Southern Rec Center; council tables decision, asks staff for cost comparisons
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Summary
The USTA-affiliated Florida Tennis organization presented a management and grant package for Southern Recreation Center tennis/pickleball improvements and operations; council asked staff for a detailed, apples‑to‑apples cost comparison and scheduled a full review Sept. 9.
The United States Tennis Association (state/regional affiliate) presented a grant‑funded expansion and a draft management proposal for the Southern Recreation Center on Aug. 26; staff and council did not act immediately and asked for a formal, detailed cost comparison before considering a management agreement. The USTA group said it would fund court expansion and could manage programming and customer-service functions, but councilmembers asked staff to identify which operational expenditures (staff salaries, benefits, building and grounds maintenance) would remain the city's responsibility and which would shift to a contractor.Why it matters: The USTA said it can bring programming, tournament promotion and a donor-plus-grant approach to upgrade courts and expand hours. Councilmembers asked for a clear, written breakdown showing cost savings and revenue changes because outsourcing management can reduce city payroll liabilities but also can change how revenue is recognized and who retains earned program income. Body: Representatives from the USTA explained a community survey and an outreach day they hosted; they said a previously awarded grant (about $700,000) would help expand courts and improve facilities, and they provided a draft contract and a side‑by‑side analysis intended to show comparative costs and service levels. Several council members and staff said they had not yet reviewed the submitted packet in full and therefore were not prepared to make a decision at the Aug. 26 workshop. Council asked staff to provide an apples‑to‑apples chart comparing the current city-run cost structure (personnel, benefits, maintenance) to the USTA proposal, including examples from the four other facilities the USTA operates in Florida. Council directed staff to place the item on the Sept. 9 workshop agenda with the requested comparative analysis. Ending: The USTA representatives said they will remain available to work with staff. The council scheduled a full review for the Sept. 9 workshop and asked staff to provide comparative cost and operational data before any decision is made.