City Eyes Revenue Sources for Golf Course
Constitution-Tribune, Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Chillicothe City Council members approved new programs for Green Hills Golf Course with the hope to help boost revenues and move the city-owned golf course closer to self-sufficiency.

For the first time ever, the 2010-11 season will allow golfers to use privately-owned golf carts rather than requiring them to use the city’s golf carts. The proposal for allowing private carts came as a recommendation by the golf advisory board and was unanimously approved by the council during their regular meeting Monday night at City Hall. The city will also offer season cart passes for pass holders beginning next year.

“In light of the financial situation we wanted to find ways to create new revenues,” clubhouse manager Joe Gilliland told council members, noting that the board has discussed the idea of private cart use for several years.

Cart rental has traditionally created substantial revenues for the golf course; however, Gilliland said the board anticipates gaining new players by allowing private cart use, rather than taking away from the existing cart rental income. “We feel it won’t take away from our current business,” he said.

Funds from the city’s general revenues help subsidize the 16-year-old golf course, according to City Administrator Dean Brookshier. For the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2010, the city has budgeted $131,000 from its general revenue coffers to help meet operational expenses of the golf course. Last year, the subsidy was $148,000.

For a complete list of golf course fees, visit the Green Hills Golf Course website.

In addition to routine business, the discussion of the golf cart fees and passes was the only new business addressed during the regular council meeting which was the last one for 2009. Councilman-at-Large Darrel Rinehart Jr. presided over Monday's meeting in the absence of Mayor Chuck Haney.

In executive session, the council approved the hiring of Cody Dysart as a Chillicothe Police officer.