Lebanon council approves $2.8 million irrigation replacement, creates golf advisory board

Lebanon City Council voted to authorize replacement of the Lebanon Community Golf Course irrigation system and moved forward with creating a golf course advisory board. City staff said the complete replacement would serve all 18 holes and include more than 700 new sprinkler heads at an estimated cost of $2,800,000.

City staff summarized financing plans that would allow the city to issue up to $3,000,000 in bonds to cover the project and related initial costs. Staff estimated annual debt service at about $275,000 a year over 15 years at current rates and said the contractor could potentially begin work in November if approvals proceed. "This is a complete replacement of the system, for all 18 holes at a cost of $2,800,000," the presenter told the council.

Council members pressed staff on options, including whether to issue larger financing now to cover related facility improvements. One councilmember characterized the decision as difficult but said he would support the project: "This pains me... I will vote yes," he said during final consideration. Staff noted the contractor offered a 25-year warranty and that the city expects improved reliability and a projection that course revenues could offset much of the debt service.

The council also amended and advanced an ordinance to establish a golf course advisory board to mirror the airport advisory board model. Members agreed to reduce the number of at-large members from five to three while keeping two council appointees and an ex officio golf course manager.

The ordinance authorizing the irrigation purchase and the advisory-board item passed its readings and will move forward with subsequent bond-issuance steps and additional ordinances to finalize financing details. Staff introduced Darren Mitchell as the golf course’s first city-employed grounds superintendent; staff said Darren and Jared Schumacher will help manage the project.

Next steps: the administration will solicit financing proposals, return to council with bond terms, and present any additional equipment or facility-improvement ordinances later this year.