Columbia County adopts 2026 golf course fee schedule after public hearing

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt Resolution 2026-03 establishing the 2026 golf course fee schedule following a public hearing and brief discussion. Chair (speaker 2) moved the measure and the board approved it by voice vote.

County meeting attendees heard from the course operator (speaker 3), who summarized the rationale for the changes. "In general, the fees have increased this year," the operator said, adding the increases were modest and intended "to keep up with inflation" while not pricing local golfers out. The operator also told the board, "Our revenue was up about 20%," which staff said supported a cautious rate increase.

The operator described participation in Washington State’s Youth On Course program, which allows eligible youth to pay $5 to play and provides an additional reimbursement to participating courses. "Any [youth] who are members of this, can go to any of the Youth On Courses and only pay $5 to play," the operator said, and noted the county may need to amend rates later if Youth On Course reimbursement levels affect net revenue.

Commissioners and staff also discussed vendor arrangements tied to cart passes and promotional packages sold at events such as the Spokane Golf and Recreation show. County staff clarified that cart operations and some package sales pass through an external operator and are not direct county expenditures.

The resolution was placed before the board at SEG 231 and adopted with a voice vote (ayes recorded at SEG 237–239). The motion carried and the public hearing was closed.

What comes next: staff noted that if Youth On Course participation or reimbursement levels materially change realized revenue, the board can revisit the fee schedule and consider an amendment.