Provo golf-course staff seek 5‑year leases for 80 electric carts and new maintenance equipment; payments to be covered by golf revenues

Provo Parks and Recreation staff presented two related proposals: a five‑year lease for 80 electric golf carts and a multi-year lease for new turf- and maintenance equipment. The council discussed the financing approach and operational benefits of moving to electric carts.

Golf manager Greg Watson said the course completed a new barn to support electric-cart charging and maintenance and that the move to a fully electric cart fleet is the next step. The leases would spread acquisition costs over five years; finance director Dan Thorne said the golf-cart lease resembles a vehicle lease where the city pays for use over the term and can buy at fair market value at the end of the lease. Staff said golf-course revenues will fund the leases and that the golf-cart lease payment is roughly the same as the current outlay for gas carts.

Councilors asked why staff prefer leasing over direct purchase and whether the city could stagger replacements rather than replace the entire fleet at once. Staff explained that leasing simplifies fleet refresh, keeps maintenance predictable and fits revenue patterns; they also said lending markets and collateral considerations limit responses from prospective lessors for large equipment packages, and that a single procurement was the practical approach this cycle.

Staff noted the maintenance-equipment lease also offers predictable payments and includes current-generation turf equipment; staff said interest rates and market responses made leasing attractive in this procurement cycle. Councilors supported the move to electric carts for emissions and user-experience benefits and discussed future possibilities such as autonomous electric turf equipment as technology matures.

Why this matters: The move to electric carts and new maintenance equipment changes operating and maintenance requirements at the golf course, advances the city’s electrification goals and establishes predictable financing tied to the golf enterprise fund rather than the general fund.

What’s next: Staff will return the lease documents for council action on the regular meeting agenda; equipment will be added to the course fleet and IS/maintenance staff will work on setup, charging and operational transition.