A Monroe County Comptroller audit is criticizing the brand new operator of Jacobs Aquatic Middle for its “omissions” and “mistruths” in its proposal to safe the job.
As well as, the audit report launched this month cites severe deficiencies with repairs and upkeep carried out on the neighborhood pool in Key Largo.
County officers say they’re enhancing oversight and transparency on the aquatic heart, which options an Olympic-sized pool, shallow coaching pool and children water park. It’s a well-liked spot for a lot of children studying to swim, older residents going for a swim or water aerobics and households having fun with a sizzling summer time day.
In December 2023, Monroe County Parks and Seashores issued a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit distributors with experience in managing and working a neighborhood pool. A variety committee reviewed and scored every proposal.
An aquatics administration firm of 32 years, the Georgia-based StandGuard Aquatics Inc. (SGA) was chosen as Jacobs Aquatic Middle’s new operator. The corporate started its duties on March 8, 2024 and might obtain as much as $495,800 below contract phrases.
Auditors mentioned the RFP required all distributors to reply to questions relating to their involvement in any lawsuits, claims, liens and whether or not the seller was terminated from related aquatic operations. SGA responded “no” to such questions.
Per the audit report, a easy web search revealed in any other case.
“It seems SGA didn’t disclose its involvement in reportable lawsuits, claims and purchasers. Additionally, SGA’s RFP response appeared to offer a deceptive portrayal of the corporate’s credentials and monetary scenario,” the report reads. “Had Parks and Seashores employees and/or the Choice Committee performed related analysis on the distributors submitting proposals, they might have recognized points that the Choice Committee ought to have thought of as a part of their decision-making course of.”
As for repairs on the aquatic heart, Monroe County agreed to be answerable for any prices totaling greater than $1,000. Any repairs over the quantity will need to have a written quote, and main repairs have to be authorised by the Parks and Seaside director and/or the county commissioners. Per the audit, SGA usually took unfair benefit as pool operator by soliciting quotes from outdoors distributors for upkeep and repairs and submitted a competing quote at a lower cost. In flip, it assured SGA would win the job.
The audit additionally famous deficiencies with the upkeep and restore carried out, together with the pool’s filtration system, of which SGA mentioned it will not use subcontractors to finish the job.
“Nonetheless, we discovered proof that SGA did use a subcontractor to carry out the work,” the audit report reads. “The subcontractor was not licensed to work within the state of Florida or Monroe County.”
The comptroller’s assessment additionally discovered SGA was failing to remit gross sales tax collected to Florida.
“The deficiencies in our audit uncovered increase severe considerations about SGA’s means to successfully function and handle JAC,” the audit report reads.
Auditors really useful county commissioners direct their employees to find out the impact SGA’s false statements and omitted info might have on JAC and its operations.
“This consists of figuring out the suitable corrective motion that’s wanted,” the report reads.
In response, the county mentioned insurance policies and procedures can be refined to strengthen the RFP and vendor solicitation course of.
The county may even assessment SGA’s contract and make clear required licensure and regulator compliance and discover changes to charge constructions, together with potential will increase for nonresident guests to make sure its long-term sustainability.
The county additionally mentioned it’ll exclude SGA from bidding on or performing upkeep or restore work derived from its personal specs. Parks and seashores has taken accountability for soliciting and acquiring quotes for JAC upkeep and restore wants to forestall any battle of curiosity.
As for remitting gross sales tax, the county says SGA is now gathering and sending that to the state income division for concessions and admissions, with quarterly studies offered to the county.
“Jacobs Aquatic Middle is an amazing asset to our neighborhood,” mentioned County Administrator Christine Hurley. “We’re dedicated to sustaining robust oversight of our contractors, implementing the audit suggestions, specializing in enhancing our procurement course of and bidding course of for repairs, and guaranteeing that it continues to offer protected, high-quality companies to residents and guests.”
In 1997, neighborhood members within the Higher Keys organized the nonprofit Higher Keys Neighborhood Pool Inc. The entity’s objective was to convey a neighborhood pool to the Higher Keys. In 2000, UKCP entered right into a 20-year lease settlement with Monroe County whereby the county leased UKCP a parcel of land on the Key Largo Neighborhood Park. In return, UKCP agreed to assemble a swimming pool and associated services on the land together with agreeing to function the pool and maintain the pool and services open each day to be used by most of the people.
