SAFFORD — Inflationary pressures have impacted virtually every facet of operating Mt. Graham Golf Course. Combined with increased demand to play golf and at the Double R Grill, and the course has found itself at an operating deficit.
During its most recent meeting, the Safford City Council voted 6-1 to approve an amendment to the golf course’s budget of $440,000 to cover the increased costs through the end of June, which is the end of the fiscal year.
Voting in opposition was Council member Dusti Brantner.
City Council member Alma Flores said the city had projected a loss for the golf course for the year, but the loss was about $170,000 more than projected.
“Thinking back to the beginning of the (fiscal) year, we terminated our contracted with Thatcher, so that reduced our revenue. I would say that’s about half of that $170,000 that we would have collected from Thatcher had we not terminated that contract,” Flores said.
City Manager Eric Bejarano explained that under the contract with Troon, the company contracted by the city to manage the course, the city “shall” ensure there is operating capital. However, he said he will travel to Troon headquarters in Scottsdale to work on amending the next year’s contract, to ensure better communication and fiscal oversight to avoid deficits moving forward.
The council directed Bejarano to talk with the Thatcher town manager to see if the town would be interested in re-entering into an agreement for joint operations of the course.
