Maintaining golf course greens keeps city in the red. Mayor McLaughlin and Councilman King say course brings in tourists who spend money at Uvalde’s restaurants and businesses
The Uvalde City Council discussed the agenda item: consideration of approval of a Golf Course Management Agreement with P&D Consulting, DBA.
According to Mayor Don McLaughlin, explained under a renewed agreement between the City and the golf course management company, the management company will work under a model of agreement where they have more control of the golf course.
Councilman Hector R. Luevano said, “We’ve been paying hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars at this golf course ever since 2016.”
It was stated in the meeting that progress has been made where the costs of the golf course and expenses for it have gotten closer.
Uvalde City Manager Vince DiPiazza said, “I don’t know if we’ll ever get to a break even on the golf course.”
“The municipal golf course is a lost leader,” said Councilman Chip King.
Mayor McLaughlin stated that people that come to play golf will spend money at restaurants and other businesses in town.
Councilman Everardo “Lalo” Zamora said, “We just need good leadership there. The Fourth of July Tournament used to be a good event.” We need to bring that spirit back. That was the biggest problem we had. We didn’t have the right management. “
Councilman Luevano brought up the city streets that are in need of repair. “If you add up these numbers, it’s in the millions of dollars (spent) over 30-40 years. It’s never made money,” he said.
The City Council voted to approve the golf course management agreement agenda item with one nay vote cast by Luevano.
Prior to discussing the golf course agenda item, Assistant City Manager Joe Cardenas spoke to the Council recommending a bid for the first phase of improvements to the wastewater treatment plan.
According to Cardenas, the bid equates to 10 cents on the dollar for a 36 to 37 million dollar project. The money would go toward pumps, headwork and electrical costs.” Cardenas said if a pump were to go, the city would have to spend 2.6 million for a 1.2 million dollar pump.
“We just don’t have the funds.” Councilman King said.
According to City Manager DiPiazza the bid, if approved, would only be for phase one of a two phase project.
According to Cardenas, if approved, work would begin next year in the spring and the work would be completed in a 12 month time frame.
Cardenas also informed the council new equipment would be good for 20-30 years.
