Kingman golf commission asks staff to rework 2026 rates, seeks higher nonresident base and simpler fee structure

The City of Kingman Golf Commission directed staff to rework its proposed 2026 rate schedule after a broad debate over pricing, discounts and operational simplicity.

Commissioners spent more than an hour discussing a staff plan that would reduce the current 36 distinct rates to roughly six core rates plus junior rates, set a higher nonresident base rate and apply percentage discounts for residents, seniors and veterans. Staff said the revised approach would make point-of-sale operations simpler and give the course more revenue headroom.

"We got rid of 36 rates and brought it down to basically 6 rates," staff said in the meeting, explaining the mechanics of a base nonresident price with resident and senior/veteran discounts. Commissioners suggested various nonresident examples — commonly cited in the discussion were $65–$70 — while warning that even modest increases could hurt fixed-income season-pass holders.

Commissioners and staff debated whether veterans and seniors should retain deep discounts, whether discounts apply to nonresidents, and how to implement changes in the point-of-sale system. Several commissioners said they want to protect long-term local players while also capturing more revenue from out-of-town play.

Rather than set final rates that day, commissioners instructed staff to draft revised numbers based on the commission's feedback, to return with a single improved proposal for review and possible approval. Staff estimated it could provide updated figures by the end of the year and suggested the commission could hold a single-topic special meeting to review those numbers before taking them to city council.

Next steps: Staff will rework the rate table, present the revised nonresident base rate and discount levels to the commission, and schedule either the next regular meeting or a special session to consider formal action.