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Deal may extend golf pro contract to end of 2017
GOLF4-7-31-10
A maintenance worker waters the greens Friday at the Manteca Golf Course. - photo by HIME ROMERO/The Bulletin
Alan Thomas could continue as Manteca’s golf pro through Dec. 31, 2017.

And if play increases, the new terms are designed to generate more money for the city even after a reduction in Thomas’ monthly rent.

The City Council Tuesday will consider granting Thomas a new contract that replaces the current one that expires at the end of 2012 when they meet at 4 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St. The earlier meeting time is to allow city leaders to attend various National Night Out block parties around Manteca.

The biggest change in the contract is a lower rent payment of $5,000 a month for use of the clubhouse space for the pro shop, the driving range, and the golf cart storage facility.

That is in exchange for the city receiving a percentage of the driving range and golf cart receipts that it did not receive before. Assistant City Manager Karen McLaughlin noted that it means as play increases the city will receive additional revenue.

Thomas will continue to receive 10 percent of all green fees collected. He also will pay the city 10 percent of the first $425,000 in annual cart rental fees and 20 percent for anything above that amount. Thomas also will pay the city 10 percent of the first 75,000 collected each year from the driving range and 20 percent of anything above and beyond that figure.

The city in the contract reserves the right to tack on a capital improvement/facilities fee for the golf course on top of green fees that would not be shared with Thomas.

The proposed contract is expected to result in the city receiving $871,309 in revenue - including $762,122 in green fees - during the first year assuming the current level of play continues. If green fees hit $855,000, the city would receive $943,457 under terms of the contract. If rounds increase to $900,000 in a year, the city would end up with $1,023,880.

An analysis earlier this year by Economic Research Associates indicated privatization of the Manteca municipal golf course maintenance won’t reduce city costs significantly.

The Manteca course – while losing play like other courses in the Northern San Joaquin Valley – has been tops among rounds played for three straight years among 14 golf courses.

The study was done to determine the best course of action when the golf course is free of debt in 2013.

This year the final $225,000 debt payment was made on the 1994 capital lease with Maryland Trust Co. that financed the current golf course clubhouse.

The final payment on the 1978 project that cost $800,000 to add the second nine holes, built the tennis courts and expanded the parking lot will be made in 2013. That yearly debt payment is $52,000 with 20 percent of that amount being paid by the parks fee account.

ERA consultant Gene Krekorian concluded that the city’s contract with Thomas and the revenues received by both parties based on the existing contract “are well in line” with other agreements between cities among those operating municipal golf courses.

Thomas pushed for a contract extension before making significant capital investments.