|
HISID approves golf amenity changes on first reading - District to keep recreation activity card and daily use fee By Kathryn Lucariello, Holiday Island editorAfter a long and complex discussion Monday, the Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID) Board of Commissioners approved amendments to golf amenity fees listed in Reg. 26-2002 on first reading by title only. Commissioners said they would like public comment on the issue, however, since it is complex and confusing. Approval on first reading only passes the amendments until a second reading for final approval can be held, which is scheduled for the March board meeting. At the work session last week, District Manager Kevin Crosson brought a draft proposal for four changes, one of which was to eliminate the recreation activities card and $2 daily use fee. That amendment was dropped in Monday's revised draft due to lack of support from the board. Monday commissioners had little problem with requiring a $25 refundable reservation deposit on district facilities from all groups and individuals and with adding a "twilight" golf fee of $25 plus tax, including cart, for play occurring during off hours, to be set seasonally. But the third, and most controversial, change requires a golf cart fee of property owners on privately owned or district-leased carts. The fee will be $130 for an annual card or $10 per day per cart. A property owner who wants to ride in another property owner's cart and has not paid a greens fee must pay either the annual or daily cart fee. The change also eliminates abuse of privilege by companies that own property in Holiday Island and allow numerous employees to use their carts. Crosson said the change addresses the wear-and-tear issue on the golf courses and brings in revenue that goes to upkeep and repair. Several property owners attending the meeting questioned being unable to lend their carts. "I can understand having a concern about corporations, but on a personal basis we should be able to lend our cart out," said one. Commissioner Bill Branum said the intent was not to restrict golf cart use but to address wear-and-tear on the courses. "I'd like to point out this is trying to address the fairness issue of property owners," Crosson said. "It's inherently unfair for a couple who pays the $130 cart fee, and another couple who pays the cart fee and lends the cart out to six other property owners who will use that cart more than the first couple." Property owners also called for limiting the number of carts containing a single property owner on the course. "You should limit it to two people to a cart instead of four people in four carts - that's where your wear and tear is," a property owner said. Commissioners said they had and would discuss this issue but that policy change was not included in these amendments. In other business, HISID: The next work session is planned for Monday, March 15, at 9 a.m. at the district office. The next business meeting will be an evening meeting scheduled for Monday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the district office. 'Eureka's Best' honors those who labor for us all Awards for hard work and winning attitudes were made to "Eureka's Best" Friday evening as nearly two dozen names were called from a variety of job categories. Trash pickup rate hike discussed with city council A proposal to raise Eureka Springs trash pickup rates 8 percent was given to the city council Monday night where it met immediate opposition. 'Sir Charles' gave his music and love Arrangements for memorial services for Charles Christian Hammer, 51, longtime Eureka Springs resident, are pending. After a long and complex discussion Monday, the Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID) Board of Commissioners approved amendments to golf amenity fees listed in Reg. 26-2002 on first reading by title only. |