The Glynn County Board of Commissioners has extended the lease for the private, politically connected organization that manages St. Simons Marina, reducing its rent to $42 per month, despite ongoing contract violations.
The St. Simons Boating and Fishing Club has been in charge of the public boating facility for 77 years, as part of a controversial management arrangement that many county residents criticize for prioritizing club members instead of the public.
According to lease terms finalized last year, the commission set lease payments at $25,000 per year and provided $5 million in taxpayer funds to offset costs of long-delayed marina repairs, for which the club, under the terms of its contract, was responsible for completing in 2025.
The marina, however, has been closed since February, and at the start of the boating season, only approximately 30% of the repairs have been completed.
Despite the ongoing issues, the commission ignored demands to hold a public tender for the marina’s management. Instead, on June 18, the commissioners voted to reduce rent payments for the coveted plot near the Atlantic Ocean.
County Communications Director Brittany Dozier told The Current GA that the Board of Commissioners decided to continue leasing the marina to the Boating Club to allow time for the group to raise the revenue needed for the nearly 10-year-old repairs.
The decision has sparked a public uproar on social media and left many questioning why the county continues to allow the club to operate the facility.
Multiple lease branches, county stays committed
In the early 20th century, Glynn County was gifted the waterside parcel, with the stipulation that it be used as a public marina. Soon after, the St. Simons Boating and Fishing Club was formed to manage the marina and has done so for over 75 years.
When Hurricane Matthew damaged the marina’s docks in 2017, the club was required to repair the premises. An investigation by The Current last August revealed that, at the time, the club did not carry insurance, as mandated by its lease, and repairs cost taxpayers $230,000 as a result.
Clement Cullens via LinkedIn
Still, the county has remained steadfast in its relationship with the club, whose vice president and lawyer, Clement Cullens, previously served as the campaign manager for Vice Commission Chair Walter Rafolski.
In 2025, an engineering consulting firm, EMC, paid by the county to assess damages and recommend a repair plan, reported that the club appeared to have made “minimal repairs.” It also recommended that “the marina should be taken out of service for the safety of the public and consider a full demolition and rebuild.”
Last summer, the county commission voted unanimously to approve the club’s lease for another year and added an option to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms.
When asked about the incomplete marina repairs, the county directed The Current to the club. Cullens did not respond to requests for comment.
Where it stands now
Currently, neither hoist is operational at the public marina, and the launch areas have been demolished for reconstruction, rendering the venue inoperable.
Over the years, local businessmen and developers have called for the county to have an open tender for the management of the marina. Among those seeking a change in the status quo is Michael Torras, whose family built the F.J. Torras Causeway and owns the Brunswick Landing Marina.
Despite the lack of transparency about when the public facility will operate at full capacity, the county commissioners on June 18 voted unanimously to extend the club’s lease and allow more time to complete repairs. It also agreed to reduce the club’s annual rent from $25,000 to $500.
In the newly extended lease, the boating club has committed $100,000 towards continuing the marina repairs, but it is unclear what percentage of the necessary costs that sum represents. Neither the county nor the boat club responded to questions about this issue.
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