Concerned that taxpayers are subsidizing a golf course that many don’t use, Rincon City Council Member Reese Browher brought up the possibility of selling the property.
Browher asked that the issue be placed on the City Council’s agenda Monday night. Council members discussed the possibility behind closed doors, citing a possible sale of land as an exemption to the state’s sunshine law.
After the meeting, the council voted to take no action on selling the Lost Plantation golf course “at this time.”
Browher said after the meeting that the course has lost $12,000 so far this year and he’s concerned about it being a financial burden on the city’s taxpayers.
City Manager Wesley Corbitt said the city paid $2.5 million for the golf course on Dec. 30, 2009. He said the city paid about $800,000 to set up a re-use water sprayfield for its wastewater treatment system; about $200,000 to lease equipment needed to maintain the golf course; and $150,000 for new golf carts.
Corbitt said the golf course is repaying the city’s general fund for the golf carts a little each month. The golf course would be breaking even if it were not for that debt, he said.
Corbitt said the city has a lot of marketing ideas that he expects will increase play at the 18-hole golf course, which sits on about 300 acres of land.
He said the golf course takes care of the city’s need for a sprayfield and offers the opportunity to eventually make a profit.
“I think within five years, we’ll make money to put in the general fund,” Corbitt said.
Browher said the golf course would still act as the city’s sprayfield even if it were sold to someone else. “I want to make sure it doesn’t financially burden the city,” he said.