The firm that gave the City of Rhinelander grim financial news about the municipally-owned Northwood Golf Club will now have the helm.
The Rhinelander City Council Monday night approved having Green Golf Partners of Indiana as the manager of the course on the city's far west side. The city put out bids after a change of leadership was approved at a recent meeting following the revelation that the golf course owes the city more than $1 million. Three bids were received.
City Administrator Keith Kost gave reasons for his recommendation...
"....it is my recommendation to go with Green Golf Partners. They have courses in Wisconsin. They've had New Berlin for several years. Last summer they picked up the city of Racine, three public courses which they will start in January...."
The firm would charge the city $38,000 for the first year, rising to $54,000 in year two. The contract would include an incentive. The firm would start management on March 1. The city would retain ownership of the course.
The first money from the Premier Resort Area Tax approved by voters in 2016 will be spent this year to improve up to 16 miles of streets within the city.
The council approved using funds from PRAT as Kost explained if the city borrows for the work, principal and interest would be about $240,000....
"...we estimate we will have $425,000 coming in each year from the PRAT tax. The city also has to put in $80,000 pursuant to that statute, so we'll have $525,000...."
Kost said at that rate, other streets also could get fixed with the extra money.
