Oak Hills Park Authority adopts 2025 rate increases and ends extra booking day for unlimited pass holders

The Oak Hills Park Authority voted unanimously Nov. 21 to adopt a revised package of 2025 rate and policy changes, including increases to nonresident discount cards and a change to booking privileges for annual pass holders.

Chair Alan Dutton opened the new-business discussion by reminding members the legal notice had posted proposed rates and that the authority would consider management’s recommendations after public comment. The package approved by the board increased nonresident discount-card fees by $20 (to $260) and senior nonresident cards to $250 and adjusted several daily rate line items. The authority also approved language eliminating the extra ninth-day booking advantage previously reserved for unlimited annual pass holders, bringing booking privileges into alignment with other pass categories (an 8-day advance window).

The debate combined fiscal rationale from management, operational fairness arguments from long-time permit holders and concerns voiced by members of the public. Management argued the changes reflect local market comparisons and help preserve resident access. Paul Alexander, presenting staff rationale, said the ninth-day incentive was originally introduced when the course needed upfront cash but that the current goal is greater fairness to the town’s broader membership: "We're just trying to be fair to the over 1,200 members, who really gotten boxed out of tee times the last many years." (Paul Alexander)

Public commenters urged caution and more data. Alex Smart, who submitted written testimony, warned the authority against approving changes the same night without fuller review: "I think that by doing so, you may be opening yourself up to an FOI challenge," he said, urging more time for analysis and documentation. Troy Jeller, an unlimited-pass holder, argued the extra booking day is an important member incentive and urged the authority to find alternatives rather than removing it: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," he said.

Controller Mark Gardner summarized staff financials and the analysis of annual passes: he said the staff’s per-player review showed a small positive margin for passes in an initial year-end snapshot but cautioned year-end adjustments could yield a modest loss for passes when late-season rounds were included. "In total, we did come out slightly above — a thousand or two," he said, noting additional capital bills and seasonal variance will affect final numbers. (Mark Gardner)

Board members proposed a set of mitigations and follow-ups before and after the vote: conducting an independent price/elasticity study next year, surveying permit holders, and monitoring whether the change affects membership sales or play patterns. Several members suggested program tweaks (for example, limited exceptions such as one weekend a month) may be explored in the upcoming planning work.

The board’s roll call was recorded by name. The vote to adopt the rate and policy package was unanimous: Denise Brown, Gary Leeds, Jennifer McAllister, Richard Dellinger, Robert Stowes, TJ Trimboli and Chair Alan Dutton all voted in favor.

Next steps: staff will publish the approved 2025 schedule, update the course website to show the adopted rates and continue the longer-term study of booking procedures and membership options the board discussed during new-business. The authority said it will revisit structural questions — including any targeted exceptions for longtime unlimited-pass holders — as part of an independent study and additional membership outreach that will take place before the next season.