Golf Club budget receives approval

Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

By a unanimous vote, the New Prague City Council approved The New Prague Golf Club's proposed 2010 budget. The decision came at the council's Monday meeting.

New Prague Golf Club Manager Ken Norland presented the budget to the council and an audience of nearly 20 people. The New Prague Golf Club Board and city staff worked on the budget. Norland noted for the entire facility, total revenues are expected to increase by 6 to 8 percent while expenses will decrease by 3 percent and employment costs will decrease by 6 percent.

Detailed in the budget were increases to green fees by raising retail daily fees by $1 across the board, except for weekend fees that will go up by $2. Other increases were to daily cart fees and private cart fees.

Golf membership households were expected to remain the same. There were two plans offered where members would receive discounts if they registered by certain dates. One plan recommended four dates with members receiving the most discounts if they registered by the first date of January 1, 2010. The other plan had only two dates. The council chose the plan with four dates.

Mayor W.A. Bink Bender asked if the decreases in employment costs were to wages or employees. Norland said the golf club could do both. Mayor Bender also asked about an increase in sales for food and beverage. Norland explained the club will be offering bingo on Thursday nights.

Council member Kristin Guerrette asked if there were any plans to try and get customers in during the off season. Norland said they were working on that area.

As part of the budget, the golf club will receive $110,000 from the city. New Prague City Administrator Mike Johnson explained that is part of the city's property tax levy it is considering for its 2010 budget.

Council member Kay Wilcox noted the city has been providing funds to the club, she wondered if they shouldn't consider closing the doors.

Johnson explained even if the city did that, it would still have to make payments on the building. There were also the costs of upkeep on the structure and the grounds with no revenue coming in to help with those costs.

I think it can be profitable