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Council backs $1.13 million golf‑cart fleet purchase and financing; staff says new carts will reduce maintenance
Summary
The council authorized an interfund loan and approved purchase of a new fleet of golf carts and GPS geofencing (PACE Shield) for the city's two municipal courses; staff and council discussed battery types, trade‑ins, theft protection, and customer‑education needs.
The Melbourne City Council on Feb. 25 approved financing and the purchase of a new municipal golf‑cart fleet and telematics service for Crane Creek Reserve and Harbor City golf courses.
Clubhouse supervisor Anthony Santamaro told the council staff had evaluated three manufacturers and recommended E‑Z‑GO RXB Elite carts equipped with PACE Shield GPS and geofencing. Staff said the new carts use maintenance‑free lithium batteries, include windshields, bag covers and sand buckets, and support a remote lockdown feature to deter theft.
Santamaro reported a staff recommendation to buy 140 carts (75 for Harbor City and 65 for Crane Creek). The packet lists a purchase total of $1,128,140; staff said trading in 20 existing carts at $1,800 each and other adjustments would reduce the net outlay (packet showed a post‑trade figure reported during remarks). The council approved a resolution (4332) authorizing an interfund loan from the General Fund and repayment from golf course revenues; the council also approved the purchase motion.
Council members and staff discussed operational impacts: lithium batteries reduce routine maintenance compared with older acid battery carts, charging infrastructure will be required in cart barns and staff said they can accommodate chargers for the fleet, and geofencing will allow staff to restrict cart access to sensitive turf areas. Councilmembers asked about customer education and how disabled or intoxicated players might be handled when geofencing shuts down a cart; staff said starters, signage and ranger patrols will be used to inform and manage customers, and carts will require a reverse maneuver to exit geofenced zones.
Parks Director Nikki Caldwell and golf staff said rounds and cart income have increased since course renovations, and council members credited staff with turning course operations toward profitability. The council approved the resolution and the equipment purchase; staff was authorized to finalize contract documents and return with interfund loan repayment details.
