Golf division proposes modest fee increases for 2025 to fund deferred maintenance; council accepts current timing process

Salt Lake City Golf Division staff presented proposed fee adjustments on Feb. 11, saying modest increases for the 2025 season would generate roughly $553,000 to address long-running deferred maintenance across municipal courses.

The division’s director, Matt Kamire, described the fee changes as a measured response to sharply increased demand for city courses since 2018 and as a way to fund needed capital projects without relying on the general fund. "We want to deliver value in a very good experience," Kamire said, and the division intends to invest additional revenue in infrastructure such as irrigation, tee-box leveling, parking repairs and clubhouse repairs.

Why it matters: The Golf Fund operates as an enterprise fund and the division’s long-term goal is to be financially self-sufficient while preserving access. Staff said the proposed increases are targeted by course and by player category; many changes are $1–$2 per round, not a blanket jump for all players.

Key points: - Financials and utilization: The Golf Division reported strong growth in starts and revenue since 2018, with utilization rates up and 2024 revenue substantially higher than earlier years. Staff track “starts” (each paying visit) and 9-hole equivalents and use those metrics to set prices. - Proposed increases: Staff provided a detailed table of course- and age-specific fee adjustments (presented to council and included in the transmittal). Examples are largely $1–$2 per 9 holes for most categories; senior age threshold remains at 60. Staff emphasized they do not plan to remove senior discounts. - Use of revenue: The division said funds will be applied to deferred capital projects (estimated needs in the millions across courses), including new roofs, deck repairs, cart paths, tee leveling, irrigation replacements and sinkhole repairs at specific courses. - Process/timing: The council’s existing approach (putting fee adjustments in place for the start of the calendar-year golf season, with formal approval as part of the June budget adoption) has been the operational practice since 2018. Council staff asked whether members objected to continuing that timing; no objections were raised.

Council feedback and communications: Council members asked for clearer messaging linking fee changes to tangible improvements and for outreach that explains how additional revenue will be used. Staff said they will provide project examples and aim to show “money in action” as repairs are completed.

Ending: The council did not object to the division’s process for setting seasonal fees before the fiscal-year budget adoption. Staff will return with budget and CIP items as projects are scheduled and will work on messaging for users to explain where revenue is directed.