It's official: Lemoore City Council votes to increase rates at Lemoore Golf Course

They also discussed and tabled a proposed policy set forth by Councilmember Rodarmel to assist but limit the amount of public funds to be used on the golf course in case of a shortfall in the debt payments.

Rodarmel asked that his proposal be on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. He is requested the resolution which would create a policy that the city’s general fund would not be used to advance funds to make up shortfalls in the golf course enterprise fund exceeding $100,000.

He was asking councilmembers to set a maximum amount of general fund monies ($100,000 per year) that could be used in the event that the golf course operations has a shortfall, this would include long-term debt, capital improvements, repair costs, or any other expense incurred or projected in any fiscal year.

If there is a projected shortfall in a fiscal year over the $100,000 cap then the city manager would have to seek council approval before any additional general fund dollars could be used on the golf course.

“I want a cap to help pay for it (golf course),” said Rodarmel. He also suggested that the city include a rate increase and an additional amount attached to an increase to create an asset replacement fund.

Councilmembers were presented with a proposal from Golf Course Manager Rich Rhoads for a rate increase on all levels of play. The new rates would include an approximate 10-12 percent increase.

Figures presented to councilmembers indicate that all of Lemoore’s current rates are in some cases significantly lower that most courses, including Visalia’s Valley Oaks Golf Course, a city-owned facility.

For example, Visalia’s 18-hole weekday rate is $28 per found while Lemoore’s is $23. Rhoads recommended an increase to $25 per round. The weekend rate for Visalia is $35. Lemoore’s is $29, prompting a proposed increase to $32.

Despite the proposed increases, Lemoore’s rates will still be less than Visalia.

Rhoads also recommended rate adjustments in the monthly prices, increasing a monthly individual rate to $140 from the current $125. The family rate per month will increase from $170 to $190. The single monthly is still well below Valley Oaks rate of $165.