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Commission approves staffing changes at Tony Butler Golf Course after surge in rounds and revenue
Summary
The commission approved converting a part-time pro-shop cashier to full-time and creating three part-time positions to support beverage cart operations and the snack bar, after staff said rounds and revenues rose sharply and operations need more staffing flexibility.
The Harlingen City Commission approved a request from golf-course management to convert one part-time pro-shop cashier position to full time and to create three additional part-time roles to cover beverage-cart and snack-bar shifts.
Why the change: Management told the commission the course is seeing a significant increase in rounds (about 3,900 more rounds compared with two years ago in the presented fiscal interval) and has standing lines of players; current staffing levels force closures of the snack bar on low-staff days. The proposed positions are intended to provide operational coverage seven days a week and allow the pro to allocate staff for tournaments and peak periods.
Budget and management issues: Staff said the requested positions can be covered within the current golf fund operations for the immediate addition; commissioners asked for a written, prioritized staffing and budget plan to be returned at the next meeting showing the minimum personnel needed for consistent operations and whether additional budget amendments would be required. Members of the golf advisory board argued for operating autonomy and ability to make timely purchasing and hiring decisions to run the course like a business.
Decision and next steps: Commission approved the position changes and directed golf management and city administration to produce a concise written staffing and budget plan showing how those hires will be funded and whether additional positions from the advisory board’s wish list are affordable.
Ending: The commission emphasized the goal of running the golf operation as a sustainable business while keeping the course accountable to municipal financial controls; staff will report back with a written plan.
