Council abdicates decision-making, may let voters decide fate of historic city-owned course

 He also says in a report to the council, scheduled for June 17, that an assessment, to be levied on 7,066 private properties, requires a special benefit to the property owner, which may not meet the requirements for such an assessment.

City staff is also recommending that the city have a backup plan in case voters turn down a tax or assessment. They want to craft an agreement with the Tachi-Yokut to sell the golf course prior to an election that can be approved should a ballot measure fail.

Councilmembers have struggled for nearly a year as to the fate of the golf course and have  been unable to come to any kind of consensus. Public opinion has been strong, especially at council meetings, for keeping the golf course in the public's hands.

Lemoore City Council June 17 Agenda

In other words if the voters say no to a tax, the city will immediately proceed to sell the golf course.

Simonson is recommending that in the event of a failed election, either by two thirds vote or a Special Benefits Assessment, he’s recommending the city sell the golf course to the local Tachi-Yokut tribe. “A long-term solution would be to enter into a sale agreement of the golf course property with the Tachi-Yokut Tribe contingent upon the rejection of the Special District Assessment by voters,” stated Simonson in his report to the council.

While it’s unclear as to why city staff views a special tax as problem, such elections requiring a two-thirds vote can be difficult to pass. A Benefit Assessment requires a simple majority of the ballots collected by mail and is similar to a Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District (LLMD).

According to Simonson, a preliminary study was done by the city’s engineering firm Quad Knopf and Finance Director Cheryl Silva that stated that such an assessment would by $3,600,677 over a 13-year period and will coincide with the payoff of all the golf course debt. “This amount over time would generate the revenues necessary to maintain and operate the golf course and allow for necessary improvements,” Simonson stated.

The cost of 7,066 private properties would be approximately $39.20 per year or $3.27 per month for the 13-year period. However, a special assessment requires that the city have a “special benefit” to the assessed property owner, for example a reduction in green fees or another kind of benefit.

“Council should be aware that it is possible that the engineers may not be able to make a finding that a special benefit exists,” stated the council report. “If this is the case, an assessment would not be a viable option.”

It appears that the Tachi-Yokut tribe is still interested in purchasing the golf course for $5 million. The Tribe has offered to pay $2 million at the close of escrow, $2 million in five years and $1 million in 10 years. The city currently owes about $3.5 million on the course.

According to the report, city staff is recommending that the council make a deal with the Tachi that states close of escrow is contingent upon the rejection of the Benefit Assessment.

The cost for a special assessment would be a little less than $58,000.