Council approves 2025 golf fees and adds 3% credit-card surcharge

The Seward City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-2 on a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Committee to update golf fees for the 2025 season and added a 3% fee on credit-card transactions for golf-related payments.

City staff explained that golf fees are reviewed periodically to keep pace with operating costs; the last fee adjustment was in 2023. Bob Court, Public Properties Director, and Cody (golf superintendent) recommended the changes. Court told the council the course aims to be self-funding over time and noted current capital projects (for example, a pond renovation near hole No. 5) and clubhouse updates.

Council members asked how the credit-card surcharge would be applied. Court said card fees vary by card and staff proposed a 2–3% range; the council approved a specific 3% surcharge as an amendment to the resolution to offset processing costs for large family membership payments and similar transactions. The amendment passed on a council vote and the resolution, as amended, was then adopted. The clerk announced voting in favor of the amended resolution by Franciscato, Kaylor, Tanias, Colchman, Miller, Singleton, Streisand and Morgan, 8–0.

Staff said the golf fund has improved and that most routine operations are expected to be covered absent major capital projects. The council instructed staff to implement the fee changes and to communicate the new credit-card surcharge to customers and to include the percentage in published rate sheets.