After questions about spending, board adds $400,000 cap before approving athletics uniforms contracts

The Bibb County Board of Education on July 16 amended an athletics materials and uniforms contract to include a $400,000 cap on general‑fund expenditures before approving the agreement with BSN Sports and Rydell Sports.

Procurement staff recommended entering contracts for uniforms, equipment and reconditioning services for FY27. Board members voiced concern that the recommendation did not show a cap and that previous year spending approached $400,000; they asked for transparency on how much is paid from the general fund versus school‑raised (ticket sales, boosters) funds. Procurement and athletic staff explained that school‑level accounts vary and that some expenses (officiating, groundskeeping, security) come from the general fund while uniform purchases are a mix of school funds and district support.

Mister Morton proposed an amendment to cap general‑fund expenditures under this contract at $400,000 for FY27. After discussion and a secondary motion to allow fall sports to proceed, the amendment passed (7–1) and the board then approved the amended motion to award contracts with the cap. Procurement staff agreed to provide a breakdown of general‑fund spend versus school‑based revenue for each school.

Why it matters: The amendment restricts general‑fund exposure for athletics and responds to board concerns about open‑ended spending; the board requested follow‑up reporting to track actual general‑fund expenditures under the contract.

Who said it: Mister Morton proposed the cap; procurement staff and Mister Freeman explained the school revenue and budget mechanics.

Next steps: Procurement will provide the requested breakdown by school and district office expenditures and will implement the contract within the $400,000 cap for the general fund portion.