Council tables proposed golf-cart fee increases after committee review request

Councilmember Jana withdrew her motion to advance revised green and cart fees for the Carthage Municipal Golf Course and the council voted to table the item pending further review by the public services committee.

The proposed changes would have raised 9-hole and 18-hole fees and adjusted membership rates; councilmembers discussed competitive pricing comparisons with 14 nearby facilities and noted Carthage’s rates were among the lowest. However, one councilmember noted a 2017 ordinance implementing a demand-based pricing model set a floor ($20 for 18-hole combined fee) and a ceiling ($40), which would make the combined fee being considered exceed that floor/ceiling structure.

Because of that potential conflict and the desire to ensure the revised pricing complies with the 2017 ordinance, council agreed to table the measure until after public services committee review and for the item to return before the next council meeting. The proposers had sought a July 1 effective date for any new fees but council members noted that tabling will affect that timeline and that the item will require readings consistent with council rules.