Signal Mountain moves to hire outside pool management after bid review

Town staff told the council on March 23 that two firms bid for seasonal pool management and recommended a professional management firm to provide lifeguard staffing and an aquatic supervisor for the coming season. Staff presented an estimated annual cost of about $88,080 for the management and lifeguard package and said references were largely positive.

Town staff said the recommended contractor would handle recruitment and daily staffing; the town would retain concession and gate attendants and receive associated revenue. Staff also reported having received a more detailed agreement with termination and exit clauses that the council asked to review before voting. Council members discussed contract term length (staff recommended a one‑year trial) and whether to cap future price increases if the town opted to extend the contract. A councilor suggested adding a cap on year‑to‑year price increases; staff said they would negotiate specific continuation and increase limits with the vendor.

Several council members expressed relief at shifting the seasonal personnel management burden to an experienced contractor while keeping town supervision of major maintenance. The council asked staff to circulate the full contract, including termination language and proposed caps on increases, to council members and to the town attorney prior to a vote.

Next steps: Staff will forward the detailed management agreement to council and legal counsel and prepare a resolution for a future meeting if the contract language is approved.