Green Hill Country Club Deficit

Another story today on the deficit balance in the Green Hill Enterprise account, note story below. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see that we are worried about a $167,000 loss, but I only wish the same coverage was spent on another enterprise account (ORH) that is consistenly losing $1,500,000 and is 327 days away from the end of the current operating agreeement.

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060807/NEWS/608070606/1008/NEWS02

Green Hill Municipal Golf Course finished the past fiscal year with one of its larger budget deficits — roughly $167,000. Because Green Hill operates under a so-called “enterprise account,” in which the revenues generated at the golf course are used to pay its expenses, the City Council recently had to transfer money from the city’s tax levy budget to offset the shortfall. In recent years, the golf course has racked up revenue shortfalls ranging from $100,000 to $150,000. In fiscal 2001, the golf course had a $175,000 budget. The harsh winter that year played a big role in fueling that deficit, as the prolonged cold weather and snow damaged the course’s greens and delayed Green Hill’s opening.

Weather was also a contributing factor in the golf course’s budget deficit this past fiscal year. The heavy rains in May and June cut into the number of rounds of golf played at the course during the late spring and early summer, a traditionally busy time of the year for Green Hill, according to Robert C. Antonelli Jr., assistant commissioner of parks, recreation and cemetery. The latest budget deficit at the golf course is expected to resurrect debate on ways to increase revenues there. Earlier this year, Robert L. Moylan Jr., commissioner of public works and parks, proposed seeking a limited beer and wine license for the golf course. While he was not suggesting that the sale of beer and wine alone would generate enough revenue to offset the golf course’s budget deficit, he said their availability could help attract lucrative tournaments to Green Hill. While Mr. Moylan’s plan was blocked by the Parks and Recreation Commission in April, he has indicated that he intends to bring the idea back before the commission at some time in the future