Madera City Council approved a consultant assessment to diagnose deferred maintenance and irrigation inefficiencies at the Madera Municipal Golf Course.

Parks Director Joe A. Baer told the council the Golf Course Advisory Committee recommended hiring a consultant to audit the 30‑year‑old pump house and irrigation system so the city can prioritize repairs and estimate costs. Preliminary consultant estimates range from $10,000 to $15,000 for the assessment; funds would come from the golf course capital improvement account, which includes contributions from Sierra Golf Management and the clubhouse tenant Sugar Pine Smokehouse.

Baer noted prior capital work at the course — restrooms, flooring and HVAC replacements — and said the advisory committee seeks clarity on whether the irrigation system can be upgraded piecemeal or requires full replacement. Councilmember Rodriguez emphasized safety concerns, saying the pump house pressurizes water lines that support fire hydrants and that deteriorating valves have, at times, compromised pressure.

“I think the committee wanted to bring this back to the council,” Baer said, noting the assessment would provide estimates the committee could use to recommend next steps. Council members discussed the committee’s procurement process and the pool of budgeted funds for capital projects. The council approved the request by motion; the item passed unanimously.

Baer and councilmembers said the assessment is intended to inform future capital decisions, including whether phased upgrades could reduce immediate cost burdens. The presentation referenced an earlier estimate of about $4 million to replace a whole irrigation system in another community but clarified Madera’s immediate step is an assessment, not a commitment to full replacement.