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Commission directs staff to work with advisory board on municipal golf-course fees after membership drop
Summary
After hearing from the golf advisory board that memberships fell sharply after a 40–60% increase, the commission directed Manager Whitehead to work with staff and the advisory board to draft fee options (one-month, three-month, biannual, annual) and return for a vote; commissioners emphasized investing in course repairs first.
The Truth or Consequences City Commission directed City Manager Whitehead to work with the municipal golf advisory board and staff to draft updated fee options after board representative Mr. Poric said membership collapsed following prior fee increases.
Mr. Poric told commissioners that, when Resolution 312122 raised fees, memberships fell from 45 to roughly five on the roll. “When resolution 312122 was adopted, there was 45 members on roll at the golf course. Today, as far as I know, there are only five members on roll,” he said, and he urged a return of one-month and three-month membership options and reconsideration of the fee structure.
Manager Whitehead and several commissioners stressed that restoring playability should be the top priority before steeply lowering fees. Whitehead said substantial near-term investments have been and will be made: “This year we've put $300,000 from the general fund into the golf course. We've put $50,000 from the lodgers tax,” he said, adding those investments are intended to get the course playable and attract players back.
Commissioners discussed daily rates, weekend differentials, junior pricing, and the previously used $1 golf improvement fund (GIF) sign-in fee for members. Several commissioners supported reinstating shorter-term membership options to attract seasonal players, while also preserving revenue to sustain course operations.
The commission passed a motion directing Manager Whitehead to work with the advisory board and return with recommended fee options for the commission to vote on at a later date.
Why it matters: Fee policy affects access, revenue, and the long-term financial sustainability of the municipal golf course. Staff and commissioners emphasized balancing affordability to rebuild membership with the need to maintain investments to keep the course playable.
Next steps: Manager Whitehead will coordinate with the advisory board and present draft fee options (including one-month and three-month memberships) for commission review.
