Fernandina Beach commission orders staff study of golf‑course options, eyes short‑term savings and long‑term repurposing

Fernandina Beach — City commissioners on March 4 directed staff to study a range of options to stabilize and reimagine the city‑owned 27‑hole golf course after staff outlined years of operating losses, infrastructure risks and potential redevelopment paths.

City staff presented a history of the course’s finances and investments and outlined near‑term moves to reduce losses and longer‑term choices that would change how the property is used. "We are not unique here," staff said, tracing declines in municipal golf revenues after 2008 and noting recent capital outlays including a 2002 clubhouse and a 2021 driving‑range upgrade. The presentation said total transfers to the golf‑course fund have reached roughly $890,000 in recent years to support operations.

Why it matters: commissioners framed the workshop as both a fiscal and facilities decision. The course provides open space and draws visitors, but it has required repeated subsidies and faces infrastructure risks that threaten operations in peak summer months.

What staff proposed and recommended

Staff outlined short‑term and long‑term options. Among short‑term steps, staff recommended terminating the Top Tracer driving‑range service and replacing it with lower‑cost range automation; presenters estimated removing Top Tracer could deliver roughly $80,000–$100,000 in annual improvement to the bottom line. Parks and Recreation Director Scott Michaelson told commissioners the Top Tracer contract runs through February 2026 and "you do have to have that 90‑day advance notice to get out of it," adding that staff have a drafted notice ready for legal review.

On infrastructure, staff warned the course currently relies on a single active well feeding a primary irrigation pond. "If you lose that well, you lose irrigation through that golf course," staff said, and recommended planning for a backup well and eventual irrigation replacement. Staff also noted three restrooms remain on septic and that costs for fertilizer, equipment and fuel continue to rise.

Longer‑term choices presented included reducing the layout from 27 to 18 holes (staff estimated about $125,000 in immediate savings depending on which nine holes are closed), or redeveloping a portion of the property for a consolidated recreation facility featuring pools, courts and event space.

Commissioners’ direction and debate

Commissioners debated short‑term solvency versus big‑picture redevelopment. Commissioner Minshew urged staff to produce multi‑scenario business cases: "What are the maintenance requirements out for the next 10 years? ...Then you can come in and lay on top of that some scenario planning," he said. Several commissioners pushed for ‘‘low‑hanging fruit’’—steps the city can take before major capital projects—such as issuing the 90‑day notice to Top Tracer, tightening equipment‑replacement cycles and lifting some management under Parks & Rec to improve procurement and maintenance cadence.

Commissioner Pointer proposed a bold, long‑term concept of closing the Atlantic Recreation Center (in a flood plain) and building an all‑inclusive rec center on the golf‑course property with pools, pickleball, courts and membership programs to attract regional users and corporate events.

Staff financial snapshot and next steps

City budget staff showed recent operating performance: a 6% loss in 2022, a 14% budgeted loss in 2023, and a 32% current‑year budgeted loss for the course. A staff presenter suggested average price per round (about $28) leaves room to evaluate fee adjustments as part of recovery targets.

After discussion the mayor asked for consensus to give City Manager Sarah Campbell and staff direction to study short‑term savings and long‑term scenarios. A motion to that effect was made and commissioners agreed to have staff return with options for the upcoming budget cycle.

Quote highlights

"It was neglected, bare bones," staff said, urging multi‑year equipment planning to avoid a run‑to‑fail cycle. Parks Director Scott Michaelson said staff "are prepared" with a drafted 90‑day notice to exit the Top Tracer agreement pending legal review.

What’s next

Staff will prepare business cases and short‑term action items for commissioners to consider in the budget process, including estimates for a backup well/irrigation work, a Top Tracer termination timeline and scenario modeling for partial closure or redevelopment. The commission opened public comment after the directive and will address the topic again as staff returns with analyses.