Wilmington weighs ending golf subsidy's general‑fund transfer, proposes small fee increases

City staff told the council the municipal golf operation has historically received a roughly $200,000 general‑fund transfer and discussed small rate increases and capital needs aimed at making the course more self‑sustaining.

Staff said the muni course hosts about 60,000–63,000 rounds annually and that the average green fee is about $49. To help balance the enterprise fund, staff proposed a $2 green‑fee increase and a $2 punch‑card increase; officials noted the course already uses residency‑based discounts for certain prepaid cards but no longer charges different standard green fees by city residency because of practical challenges at point‑of‑sale.

Staff described capital needs including a proposed car barn that would enable a future shift to electric carts, and said the muni has about $1.8 million in unassigned fund balance; council members asked for comparative rates at peer courses and for junior and scholarship programming details. Staff emphasized the muni remains competitively priced and that past weather impacts and pandemic changes have influenced play and costs.

No council vote was taken; staff said they will return with the detailed rates, program data for junior and nonresident players and a final recommendation for any fee adjustments as part of the FY27 budget process.