HCC to explore privatizing some parks operations

GAINESVILLE - The Hall County Board of Commissioners has agreed to a proposal from commissioner Scott Gibbs to explore having the Georgia Mountains YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Gainesville-Hall County take over some county park operations.

Closing some parks is one of the things on the table as the commission wrestles with an $11.5 million budget shortfall, which will be the subject of a public hearing Thursday night

Interim County Administrator Jock Connell said Monday it would take 60-75 days at minimum for the YMCA to review the status of the entire park system and come up with a proposal, which would give the county an idea of the feasibility of privatizing the parks. The YMCA currently operates parks for White and Lumpkin counties.

Also Monday, Connell said Planning Director Randy Knighton will give a report on the staff committee s privatization study at the Hall County Commission's next work session.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/6/239346