An operational review of the Lancaster Municipal Golf Course shows it has a significant shortfall of money, mainly due to the construction of the back nine holes.
While operations on a day-to-day basis are solvent, the review says the debt service to pay for the back nine is the reason for the red ink.
The review recommends the city use tax dollars to pay the debts. That could cost in excess of $300,000. It recommends the city plan on supporting the golf course through 2008 to pay that debt.
The review was completed by Edgehill Consulting Group, of Lancaster. It said the bleak financial picture has developed because revenue from the golf course hasn't met original projections stated in a feasibility study. The study was done before the back nine was constructed.
Other recommendations include raising membership rates by 4 percent, raising cart storage and trail fees by 10 percent, but keeping green fees at their current level.
The review now goes to the Lancaster Golf Committee for discussion. The city council will consider action on the recommendations at its Feb. 21 meeting.