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Salina golf course saw more rounds and revenue in 2024 but higher operating costs and well repairs cut margins
Summary
Golf course pro Mike Hargrave told the Parks Board rounds and revenue were up in 2024, but unexpected expenses — especially part‑time staffing costs and repairs to irrigation wells — led to a poor financial result; staff plan tighter labor controls and a preventative well‑maintenance rotation for 2025.
At the Salina Parks and Recreation Board meeting, golf course professional Mike Hargrave reported that rounds and revenue at the municipal golf course increased in 2024 but expenses left the operation with a weak financial result.
"We did more rounds than we did the previous year. Our revenue is actually up as well. Unfortunately, we had a number of expenses kind of unforeseen that really hit us very hard," Hargrave said.
Hargrave told the board much of the expense growth was in hourly wage and part‑time staffing lines. He said the course paid near the top of the local wage range for many positions (citing pro‑shop and maintenance wage bands) and that overtime and additional seasonal help — for tasks such as ball retrieval on the driving range and cart cleaning — increased labor costs.
Hargrave also described technical problems with four irrigation wells that service the course. One well has been repaired and staff reported improved output; additional well repairs remain on a planned maintenance rotation so the city can avoid ad hoc overuse of remaining wells and reduce electricity costs.
The golf operation has deployed a new cart fleet with GPS geofencing. Hargrave said the geofence system automatically slows or stops carts that enter restricted turf areas; staff have made minor satellite adjustments after some early complaints and occasional disabled carts on cart paths.
Hargrave said staff expect to tighten part‑time staffing oversight in 2025 and to budget more proactively for well maintenance rather than budgeting at minimal levels and reacting to failures.
Board members asked whether repairs or staffing mainly drove the deficit; Hargrave said it was mostly higher wage costs and a few significant well repairs.
No formal action was taken on the golf course report; Hargrave offered to return with additional financial detail if the board requested it.
