Atoka authority approves new daily rental rates for municipal golf course

The Atoka Authority voted to set new daily rental rates for the municipal golf course after a discussion comparing nearby courses and reviewing potential revenue impacts.

Trustees approved a schedule that sets weekday rental rates at $750 per day from February through September and $500 per day from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31. Weekend and holiday rates were set at $1,500 per day from February through September and $1,000 per day from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

The vote followed presentations comparing Atoka's current fee structure with a nearby course in Tishomingo. Trustees noted that the neighboring course charges around $500 Monday through Thursday and $1,500 on weekend days, and that some courses offer low-cost short-term junior memberships (a cited example: $99 for three months). Board members also discussed cart storage and usage fees and referenced existing cart charges on other courses during the review.

Trustees discussed considerations that shaped the decision: competitiveness with nearby courses, the need to grow membership as course conditions improve, and recurring maintenance costs such as pump repairs and cart replacements. One trustee observed that a prior $10 monthly increase led to only two membership cancellations, which was used as evidence that modest increases may be sustainable.

The motion passed on a roll-call vote with the recorded ayes from Mister Henderson, Mister Armstrong, Mister Burridge and Mister Kathy. The clerk recorded the vote. Trustees said they will study the membership fee schedule and discuss any further adjustments at a later board meeting.

Minutes show the item was presented as "Item number 1, discussion and or action on setting a price for daily rental of the golf course." No ordinance, statute, or other legal authority was cited during the discussion.