Ottawa City Commission authorizes staff to negotiate four-year lease for 20 golf carts

Ottawa City commissioners on Oct. 23 authorized city staff to negotiate and finalize a four‑year lease-purchase agreement with M and M Golf Carts LLC for 20 gas-powered golf carts to support the city-run golf course.

City Manager Silcott and Director Landis presented the procurement. Staff said they received two proposals and recommended M and M Golf Carts as the best value. According to staff, the vendor’s bid for the 20-cart package was about $16,000, below the $24,000 amount budgeted for the lease. The commission debated maintenance and availability for peak events before voting.

Director Landis described maintenance options offered by bidders and how the city expects to phase service levels across the four-year lease. “Our goal would be to earn more than what we’re spending on them,” Landis said of the course’s pricing strategy for cart fees. Staff also said the vendor offered an option to provide additional carts for tournaments at roughly $55 per cart per day; that cost would be passed through to tournament organizers when needed.

Commissioner Crowley moved to authorize staff to complete negotiations and execute agreements related to the M and M proposal; Commissioner Clayton seconded. The commission voted unanimously in a roll-call vote: Commissioner Kaler—yes; Commissioner Crowley—yes; Mayor Pro Tem Allen—yes; Commissioner Clayton—yes; Mayor Skidmore—yes. The motion carried.

City staff said the order includes warranty coverage and a multi‑year lease structure; maintenance agreements range in cost depending on frequency of vendor service and the mix of warranty versus paid maintenance in later years. Staff noted the city also requested a lump-sum purchase price in case the commission later elects to buy outright.

Next steps: staff will finish contract negotiations with the vendor, return final lease documents for execution and begin planning cart availability for the 2025 season and special events.