Rexburg approves golf fee changes after debate over private carts and residency discounts

The Rexburg City Council approved changes to golf-course fees that increase nonlocal rates and remove a separate trail fee for private carts while providing a 20% discount for Madison County residents. The fee package was adopted as part of a broader city-and-county fee schedule, but it generated sustained discussion from council members, golf-board representatives and city staff about enforcement, proof of residency and unintended effects on course operations.

John, a representative of the golf board, told the council that the board recommends increasing green fees by about 20 percent for non-county play and offering a 20 percent discount for Madison County residents so local players’ prices would remain largely unchanged. "We've seen a lot of play come in from outside the county, and so... we recommend increasing the rates by about 20 percent and then offer a 20 percent discount for Madison County residents," John said during the presentation.

The board also proposed deleting the separate trail fee charged to people who bring their own carts, and instead charging the same per-round rate whether a player uses a city cart or a private cart. The stated rationale was operational simplicity for the front desk and to recover wear-and-tear costs associated with private carts. The presenter gave an example showing the former trail fee (roughly $5 per nine holes under the old schedule) would be replaced by an equivalent $10 per nine holes under the new pricing as part of overall rate adjustments.

Council members raised operational and fairness concerns. Council member Johnson said he was "fully against all the fees except that one part of the carts" and moved to approve that single carts-related item be reconsidered by the golf board, asking that board and staff examine alternatives before the city locks in the change. "I think we're moving a little fast on making that where they just use our carts only," Johnson said. He and others warned that charging private-cart users the same rate as renters could encourage many players to stop bringing private carts and instead rent city carts, potentially overwhelming city inventory and requiring additional capital purchases.

Staff and other council members noted trade-offs. Supporters argued that private carts impose additional wear on the course and that many neighboring courses charge higher nonresident rates. Cameron (the golf pro) and others suggested a simplified approach was easier to administer at the clubhouse; staff described three options for proof-of-residency for the Madison County discount: showing a tax bill, presenting a two-year county-issued card (to be issued by golf staff), or showing a driver’s license or other address verification at the point of sale.

Other fee changes discussed during the joint hearing included an increase in downtown parking permit rates (presented as equivalent to $20 per month, or $240 per year), a proposed $100 fee for out-of-department cell-phone forensic downloads that staff said would partially recover software/training costs, and a $500 annual maintenance fee for outside agencies that use the police firing range.

Council deliberations touched on process: several councilors asked whether removing or altering a fee after a public hearing would require reopening the hearing and republishing notices. City staff and the city attorney advised that substantial changes after a public hearing typically require reopening the hearing and republishing notice, which several members said factored into their decision to approve the fee schedule as presented while asking that the golf board revisit the specific private-cart policy.

What the changes mean for golfers and residents

- Madison County discount: Madison County residents will be able to claim a 20% discount on green fees if they can show residency (driver’s license, tax bill, or county-issued card). Staff said the golf course will issue a card option valid for two years to ease repeated proof-of-residency checks.

- Private carts: The separate trail fee for private carts was removed from the fee schedule and private-cart users will be charged the same per-round rate as renters under the new schedule. Several council members asked the golf board to reconsider this policy because of concerns about city cart inventory and tournament impacts.

- Parking and other fees: Downtown resident parking permit rates were justified by staff as necessary to cover snow removal, enforcement and maintenance; parking permit usage and the number of stalls were discussed (staff estimated a little over 200 stalls issued annually). Police forensic-download and shooting-range fees were raised to recoup program costs and upkeep.

Ending

The fee schedule, as adopted, will be posted by city staff with implementation details and proof-of-residency procedures. Councilors asked the golf board and staff to return with options for private-cart management if operational issues arise after implementation.