DeSoto council authorizes MOU to pursue Thorntree Golf Club development (6–1)

The DeSoto City Council voted 6–1 on March 3 to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a memorandum of understanding with SM Partners and Sam Young Company for the development, operation and investment of Thorntree Golf Club.

Councilman Andre Byrd moved the recommendation after the council returned from an executive session on real-property deliberations. "I make a motion to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a memorandum of understanding with SM Partners and Sam Young Company regarding the development, operations, and investment for Thorntree Golf Club," Byrd said. Councilmember Leticia Hughes seconded the motion. One council member voted "nay." Mayor Rachel L. Proctor announced the motion passed 6–1.

The council discussion took place immediately after the executive session the agenda tied to Texas Government Code §551.072 (deliberation regarding real property). The motion on the floor authorized staff to pursue terms with the named private partners; the council did not publish final contract terms at the meeting. The mayor indicated the council would "return if we have any action as a result" of executive session, and the action recorded was the authorization to negotiate the MOU.

Next steps: the city manager will negotiate details with SM Partners and Sam Young Company and return any final agreements to council for formal approval. The council did not provide a timetable for when a final agreement would be brought back to the dais.