Board approves July and August financials; golf and cemetery operations report shows revenue gains and capacity challenges

The Golf and Cemetery Board approved financial reports for July and August after hearing monthly budget and operations updates showing revenue improvements but rising expenses in some categories.

"Everything's looking revenue wise, is looking really good," said Speaker 3, staff member, during the financial review. The board approved the financial statements after a motion and second; a voice vote recorded members in favor.

During the superintendent's report, staff described strong demand on the driving range this season, noting the range dispensed 669,000 balls so far this year and that heavy daily use had stressed turf and equipment. "The revenue from that is strictly from the heavy use," Speaker 3 said. Staff attributed higher greens and range revenues to increased use and several high-attendance tournaments over the summer.

But board members heard several operational pressures: part-time labor hours approaching budgeted limits; increased insurance costs because of added equipment and buildings; and higher-than-expected supply and irrigation repair costs earlier in the year. Staff noted a retirement-eligibility threshold tied to part-time hours (members who exceed a set hours threshold in six months may qualify for state retirement), which constrains scheduling and affects payroll decisions.

The board also reviewed capital and equipment requests for the upcoming budget cycle. Items still in the proposed budget included a replacement payloader (to be cost-shared between cemetery and golf), a range ball picker and an irrigation filter to reduce clogging. Staff said they also requested equipment to treat or delay Emerald Ash Borer impacts on ash trees: roughly 180 trees on the golf course and 87 in the cemetery were cited as at-risk. "If you can imagine in a couple years, all those trees being gone, it'd be a big dent," Speaker 3 said.

Board discussion covered whether to reallocate funds within the overall budget to address immediate maintenance shortfalls. One board member suggested shifting available funds to keep part-time staff hours to maintain course quality; staff said they were trying to stay within authorized budget lines but would seek ways to avoid service impacts.

The minutes from two months earlier were also approved by voice vote at the start of the meeting. The board set its next meeting for Oct. 14 and confirmed it may cancel future meetings if there are no agenda items, a process clarified with city administration and the city attorney.