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Published: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 / Updated: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 01:08 PM

Croquet cost estimate tops $50G for Tega Cay

TEGA CAY -- 

A new, more expensive deal to bring a croquet court to Tega Cay is underway.

In recent months, the court was projected to cost about $37,000. About two weeks ago, that amount jumped to $50,000. Now, the deal tops $50,000, comes with 4 percent interest and obligates Tega Cay, officials said.

But the project won't tap into taxpayers' wallets.

“It's not a taxpayer debt,” City Attorney Bob McCleave said.

Although residents might not have to shell out money for the croquet project, they will pick up McCleave's attorney fees when he drafts a contract between the City of Tega Cay and Judy Turner Carpenter, who pledged to loan the money against future user fees. Creating a draft would cost less than $500, McCleave said.

And those funds would come from the city's general fund, money that taxpayers fund, City Manager Grant Duffield said.

That means taxpayers will contribute indirectly to the croquet project that outgoing Mayor Bob Runde first touted in September as a self-supporting project. At that time the court was to be funded in part with $25,000 the city recently borrowed as well as revenues acquired from pre-sold memberships.

However, that plan changed nearly three weeks ago when Runde requested a $50,000 loan from Carpenter. Now, officials contend, revised construction plans and a prime croquet court location triggered a price change.

“[The] cost is anticipated to be close to $60,000,” Duffield said of the croquet court that is to be anchored between the pavilion and the Tega Cay Clubhouse.

That $60,000 loan comes with a 4 percent interest rate, but taxpayers won't foot the bill for the croquet court that officials plan to build next spring.

“The city will pay to Mrs. Carpenter a sum equal to the amount of croquet membership collected during a calendar year, whatever that number is,” Duffield said.

The math suggests the city would pay Carpenter $10,000 annually. Duffield did not provide a specific loan payment amount.

However, that unknown amount will be paid annually for six years, beginning 12 months after the funds are drawn, Duffield said.

“At the end of those six years, the city's financial obligation ends,” he said.

Duffield said if the croquet court does not pay for itself, taxpayers won't be on the hook for the rest.

“After the six years, if there is a balance left, the city is not liable for the outstanding balance,” he said.

So who is?

During a council meeting last September, Runde told about 50 residents that taxpayer money wouldn't fund the project. That move triggered outbursts from the crowd and a response from Runde.

“I'll put it in writing and guarantee it with my house…I put my money where my mouth is, and I'll do it again,” he said then.

That statement pivots the loan balance one way, suggesting to city officials and residents alike that any loan balance becomes Runde's responsibility.

“My understanding was that he was going to reach a private agreement with Judy Turner (Carpenter) in regards to his personal guarantee of any shortfalls,” McCleave said. “That will be an agreement between himself and Mrs. Turner. The city will not be involved in that agreement.”

Runde did not immediately return calls for comment.

In September, city officials had planned to fund the croquet court in part with money in excess of $400,000 that the city borrowed to fix its damaged greens at Carolina Pines and Grand View golf courses. The remaining $50,000 would be set aside for fire hydrants and/or the croquet court. At that time, each project was an estimated $25,000, subsequently triggering a shortfall for the croquet project.

Enter Runde's plan.

He proposed that pre-sold croquet memberships topping $13,000 coupled with funds from food and beverage sells would make up the shortfall. The weekend before Election Day, Runde announced his plans to borrow $50,000 from Carpenter before McCleave reviewed the funding arrangement.

McCleave plans to present a croquet court draft to Carpenter within two weeks, he said. That move paves the way for the Tega Cay City Council to consider the draft as early as the group's December meeting. If council approves the alternative financing option and court location, city leaders will consider a minimum of three bids before construction can begin.