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Council debates short-course golf expansion and $250,000 donor pledge; decision deferred
Summary
Council discussed a proposed five‑hole short course at the municipal golf course, a donor pledge of $250,000 and a staff estimate that the full project (with design and contingency) could total about $1.05 million.
Mitchell City Council spent substantial time reviewing a golf course proposal that would add a five‑hole short course and other improvements. Golf staff and course representatives outlined a plan that would cost about $1,053,000 once design fees and a contingency were included. The golf course has pledged $250,000 in donations and approximately $50,000 in reserves; council members discussed whether to move forward this year or defer to a later date.
Jason Ganeri, who identified himself as representing "Golf and Cemetery," laid out a project breakdown: the short-hole component was estimated at $900,000 and the remainder of work (drainage, pond work and Hole 14 improvements) pushed the total to roughly $1.05 million when design and contingency were added. He also noted trade‑in value estimates for equipment (payloader) and the operational impacts of additional holes on water usage.
Council concerns and discussion points included: - Enterprise fund risk: some members said the golf course operates as an enterprise fund and should cover capital projects through operations, reserves or financing rather than large general‑fund transfers. - Irrigation and Lake Mitchell: councilmembers noted a potential future decision to drain Lake Mitchell could require potable-water irrigation at the course, adding ongoing annual costs (staff estimated $40,000–$60,000 per year if potable water were required). - Timing and donor conditions: members asked whether the $250,000 donor pledge was time-limited; staff and golfers said the funds were available now but could not confirm a strict deadline. - Phasing: a number of councilmembers favored splitting the project into phases to capture better pricing and to reduce near‑term capital exposure.
Outcome: After extended discussion, the council did not approve the full package. Several councilmembers said they favored waiting another year to let reserves rebuild or to finalize the lake project's timing. Council asked golf‑course leadership to report back at an upcoming meeting and for staff to supply clearer phasing, financing, and irrigation-cost estimates.
Next steps: Golf-course representatives will meet with the council’s executive/staff group and present refined options, including a phasing plan for the short course, clearer donor timelines and sensitivity analysis on irrigation costs if potable water becomes necessary.
