Oak Hills Authority approves $180,000 for second phase of golf bunkers; hears staffing and budget concerns

The Oak Hills Park Authority voted to approve up to $180,000 for the second phase of a golf-course bunker rebuild at its February meeting, after hearing reports from staff that the course has lost multiple full-time employees and is likely to run under budget on winter revenue.

The bunker funding approval was moved and seconded during the superintendent’s report and passed by voice vote. Jim Schell, Oak Hills Park Authority green superintendent, told members he had received two bids just under $240,000 and asked the authority to approve a reduced scope and budget of $180,000 now so the contractor and timing could be locked in. “I’m looking for a hundred and $80,000 of approval,” Schell said.

Why it matters: the work is a capital project that affects course condition and guest experience while the authority’s controller warned of short-term operating cash pressure after a slow winter. Approving a smaller scope allows the authority to proceed without delaying other planned projects, officials said.

Schell described the recommended scope as phase two without several fairway bunkers (eight, nine and 12, plus a range bunker). He and golf staff explained the decision to delay some fairway work in order to complete high-priority greenside bunkers and to lock a contractor at a lower price now. Schell said contractors’ revised bids included a $15,000 contingency and that the $180,000 figure “is including everything we have to buy, sand and sod around the bunkers, and a $15,000 contingency.”

Paul Alexander, the golf professional, reported healthy advance demand for the season: “I believe 42 annual passes have been sold, 219 golf memberships,” he said, and noted the course has 23 outings scheduled with only two available dates remaining. Alexander and superintendent Schell both cautioned that winter closures have reduced rounds compared with last year.

Mark Gartner, controller, warned that winter revenue shortfalls will likely continue into February and that the operating account balance would be monitored closely. “We’re… starting to burn money,” Gartner said, noting the authority may need to transfer funds from reserves to cover payroll until spring revenues return.

On staffing, Schell outlined three recent full-time departures: a long-serving staff member who left for better benefits, an assistant who accepted another job (interviews and offers are pending), and a mechanic who took higher pay elsewhere. Schell said new hires are in progress and that the department remains short one assistant position, which could force adjustments if not filled before the busy spring season.

The authority moved to reduce the original phase-two bunker scope and approved the $180,000 funding authorization by voice vote. The motion was presented during the superintendent’s capital-project discussion and was seconded and approved; members instructed staff to proceed with contractor scheduling.

The meeting also included routine approvals: the board approved prior minutes and later adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Members said they will revisit capital planning and the FY-26 budget with the revised bunker figure in mind so other projects (irrigation, tennis repairs) can be scheduled without overextending reserves.

Ending: Authority members asked staff to circulate the final contractor agreement and schedule once locked. Staff said they will continue recruiting for the remaining open positions and will bring further budget detail to the next meeting.