Neosho council backs study of expanding golf-board role to include fundraising and events

Councilors heard a detailed proposal to broaden the role of the Neosho golf advisory board so it can manage fundraising events and earmark proceeds for capital improvements at the Neosho Golf Course.

Richard and representatives from Maxim Golf described the proposal as a way to supplement city funding and accelerate needed improvements. A Maxim representative said other municipalities have used similar models successfully: "Over the last 3 years, we've raised over a $120,000 through their efforts in cooperation with Maxim Golf," the representative said, citing Chillicothe as an example.

Dan Tice, president of the golf board, told council the board wants to preserve the Kermit Lewis tournament and use events to support capital needs (benches, irrigation, equipment). He said the board lacks explicit charter language allowing fundraising and asked council to approve amendments that would clarify the board's authority.

Council members expressed broad support for the concept while emphasizing transparency and clear accounting. Staff outlined options for managing proceeds, including a separate banking arrangement or earmarked accounting lines within an existing joint golf account. Richard said the city and Maxim would maintain "open book" transparency so council and the golf board could track funds raised and expenditures.

Council asked the city manager and city attorney to draft ordinance language to amend the golf-board charter and return to council for formal consideration. No formal vote was required on policy changes at this meeting.

The next procedural step is for staff and counsel to prepare an ordinance amendment showing how fundraising would be enabled and how proceeds would be tracked; council members requested clear safeguards to prevent commingling of funds and to ensure public transparency.