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Council adopts new walking rates for Stonebridge and The Ridge; public commenters urge reversal of fee increases and 3% card charge
Summary
Ordinance 26-05, adding walking rates at Stonebridge and The Ridge golf courses, passed the council by majority. Public commenters urged restoring walking discounts (citing a weekend walking rate increase) and removal of a new 3% credit-card fee; the city manager said the fee was intended to cover costs and staff will review.
The West Valley City Council voted on Feb. 10 to adopt Ordinance 26-05, which adds walking rates to the city's golf-course pricing structure for Stonebridge and The Ridge.
During public comment, Dan Bell asked the council to restore a walking-rate discount after reporting that the weekend players-pass walking rate had been raised from $20 to $50 and that walking now costs the same as using a cart; he called walking a lower-cost, lower-impact option and urged a weekend walking rate of $30 and midweek walking rate of $25. Bell also criticized a recently added 3% credit-card fee and asked the council to consider removing it or offering a cash/debit discount. Kimberly Sears said she had been told council members receive free golf passes and questioned whether that presented a conflict of interest; she also noted the courses are subsidized and suggested funds might be redirected to amenities available to more residents.
City Manager Peeley responded during the meeting, saying the credit-card fee was implemented to cover costs and that staff would review the fee and the public comments. A council member noted strong pass sales (over 1,000 passes sold in two weeks) when moving forward with the ordinance.
A motion to approve Ordinance 26-05 passed by majority on roll call; one council member recorded a 'no' vote. The council did not adopt immediate changes to the credit-card fee or walking discounts at the meeting; staff committed to reviewing the fee structure and reporting back to the council.
Next steps: staff will review the fee and pricing structure, consider options such as a cash/debit discount or differentiated walking rates, and return recommendations to the council if changes are recommended.
