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Council asks staff to draft policy for employee and retiree golf discounts at Plantation Preserve
Summary
Councilmembers agreed in principle to allow active employees and certain retirees to play at the Plantation Preserve at the resident rate, asked staff to return with a formal policy defining retiree eligibility and controls, and declined to extend discounts to the restaurant or pro shop.
After a staff report comparing municipal golf‑course policies in Broward County, Plantation City Council members on Feb. 26 expressed broad support for a policy to offer Plantation Preserve playing privileges to active city employees and some retirees at the Plantation resident rate, but asked staff to return with a formal policy and administrative controls.
Parks and Recreation Director Trish O’Toole presented a municipal‑comparison summary showing that most neighboring cities charge the resident rate to active employees and that Sunrise provided its employee and retirees with member‑type access. O’Toole recommended the city follow the prevailing local practice: charge active employees the Plantation resident rate and not extend additional restaurant or pro‑shop discounts. “Most cities do not offer specific employee discounts. They do charge the resident rate for active employees,” O’Toole said.
Councilmembers discussed implementation questions including how to define “retiree,” whether to grant the benefit to retirees who left in good standing, whether a one‑year trial would be advisable, and whether staff should implement ID/card controls to verify eligibility at booking. Councilmember Andrea said she favored including retirees and suggested a Sunrise‑style model; Councilmember Fadgen and others raised fiscal concerns about the golf course enterprise fund’s allocation and debt service. Several members said they would not support discounts on food or pro‑shop purchases.
The council did not adopt a final ordinance or resolution at the meeting. Instead members asked administration and the city attorney to prepare a draft policy (to return as a resolution) that: (1) sets the resident rate for active employees; (2) defines retiree eligibility in consultation with HR (e.g., pension vesting and separation in good standing); (3) requires an ID/card system to manage eligibility; and (4) sets a review/trial period for the policy so the council can revisit use and fiscal impacts after an initial term.
Director O’Toole said the Preserve’s reservation system has been updated to better track utilization and staff will provide data as part of the policy return. Councilmembers emphasized the city must preserve the Preserve’s fiscal health while offering the benefit as an employee and retiree recruitment/retention tool.
