BELLA VISTA -- When the Property Owners Association boad met on Thursday, they voted against additional staffing for the golf courses in spite of maintenance manager Keith Ihms' warning a hot, dry summer would mean unattractive courses that would deter residents.
Ihms asked for seven full-time maintenance workers, explaining several part-time positions were never filled last year. He believes it would be easier to hire full-time workers and he could keep them busy over the winter with special projects. The estimated cost of the seven position in 2016 is $228,480. The cost for the rest of this year would be partially off set by the unused money for the part-time positions that haven't been filled.
"It would be a hard sell (to the membership)," board member Dave Barfield said, adding for the last two years the board has tried to get an assessment increase approved by pointing out the association is dangerously low on money. He suggested the Golf Division should consider other ways to cut maintenance costs, even closing courses on a rotating basis.
Ihms said he has considered all cost cutting methods, but if the summer is hot and dry, many hours are consumed by watering the courses and has to be done.
He pointed out one full time position was removed at the Metfield complex in 2012. Metfield is made up of one 18-hole course and one nine-hole course, so the four-person staff there is covering 27 holes. The other five 18-hole courses each have four full-time positions. In 2003, each course had five full-time positions.
Board member Ruth Hatcher suggested restoring the fifth position at Metfield immediately and tabling the other six positions. Ihms was asked to come to the next work session on June 11 to discuss all alternatives.
Several projects were moved along when the board considered old business. At the Highlands Clubhouse a lease is under consideration with a restaurant owner from Pineville, Mo. If the lease is signed, the association will repair a walk in cooler and a range hood for an estimated cost of $52,000.
At the Metfield Clubhouse, a snack bar will be added to the pro shop and an exercise room will be put into the space that was once the restaurant. To make space for the exercise room, the membership services department will be moved into the former kitchen area. The multipurpose Dogwood Room would be left intact. The cost of those changes would be over $300,000.
The board approved $33,000 for plans to begin work at the former Branchwood Golf Course. The first priority will be an eight foot concrete walking trail. The plans will include the engineering work necessary to go out for bids on construction. Some $150,000 was budgeted for the Branchwood project in 2015.
NW News on 05/22/2015