SEBASTIAN — The dizzyingly complex, cumbersome and “discriminatory” rate structure at the Sebastian Municipal Golf Course is on its way out, as City Council Feb. 25 voted for a complete re-do that would simplify the code and make fees uniform for golfers whether resident or non-residents, all without a fee increase.
Key to the proposed ordinance, brought to Council by City Manager Joe Griffin, is allowing the golf course manager “to do his job,” setting and adjusting the fees, based on variable factors throughout the year, all overseen by the City Manager.
Currently, any fee changes must be formally approved by the City Council.
Griffin called the current fees discriminatory to non-residents, who pay more to play on the Sebastian Municipal course (an enterprise fund entity) than residents. This, he continued, is not only cumbersome, but puts the course at a competitive disadvantage as it competes in the robust golfing market with numerous other area courses.
If the golf course manager has the flexibility to tweak rates and conduct “specials,” a common practice on other courses, the Sebastian course will become stronger in the marketplace.
Another key to the new proposal is to encourage more memberships, based on the belief that members tend to take more “ownership,” and play more frequently on “their” home course.
After a second reading, public hearing and final vote, the changes are expected to be in place by Oct. 1.
Griffin says the rates are not increasing and, for some, will likely drop. With uniform rates for residents and non-residents, the expectation is that more golfers will use the course, membership will increase and the enterprise fund will regain robust fiscal health.
