County administrator: golf course operating as enterprise fund, showing profit and plans for reinvestment

The county administrator updated the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners on the golf course, saying the facility is being run as an enterprise fund and is operating without a draw from general revenues. He told the board the golf course began operations in August last year and is not yet a full year of operations; according to the June financials cited in the meeting, the golf operation showed a net profit margin of roughly $128,000 to $158,000 to date. The administrator said the county provided a $217,000 allocation from the wastewater fund this year to support wastewater reuse on the course and described that allocation as an initial funding source to help the enterprise fund get established. Why it matters: The update explains how the county is treating the golf course financially, what subsidies or interfund transfers have supported startup costs, and which reinvestments are planned so the course can remain self‑funding. The administrator described near‑term needs and planned reinvestments: a driving‑range net estimated at $40,000–$50,000 and ongoing replacement of mowing reels that cost about $75,000–$100,000 every three to four years. He said the county intends to build savings in the enterprise fund to cover such capital needs rather than rely on ongoing general‑fund support. Operational notes: Staff reported that some weather and pH issues affected the first season (a cold winter and an ice storm), and that pH adjustments were required for wastewater reuse fertilization to be effective. The snack bar was reported to be breaking even as of the end of June. The administrator said staff is considering offering a nine‑hole play option on select days and a modest increase to rack rates next year (rack rates up $5; local rates up $2); employees are planned to receive a 3% pay increase in the upcoming budget. What was not decided: No formal rate ordinance or budget amendment was adopted during the meeting; the remarks were an operational update and part of ongoing budget discussions.