Manteca’s municipal golf course for the first time in 30 years — if not ever — is finally generating enough green fees to cover the cost of maintenance.

Stephanie Beauchaine, a consultant hired to sort out accounting messes in the finance department, indicated that was the case during Tuesday’s Manteca City Council workshop on the proposed $45 million capital improvement spending plan being fashioned for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The golf course finances came up when the council questioned two capital improvement projects at the golf course being charged off to the general fund instead of the golf fund.

 It involved $10,000 for work on pond aerators and fountains as well as $68,000 to purchase a tractor and tow behind mower.

During the discussion Beauchaine indicated when the council reviews the operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year on May 25 that it will show for the past year green fees will cover the city’s maintenance costs for the current fiscal year.

She said specific details would be provided May 25.

It is not clear whether that references all general fund subsidies including a standing $155,000 general fund transfer to subsidize reduced senior and youth green fees or just the transfers needed to cover operating deficit at one point in the past 20 years approached $200,000 annually.

Either which way it represents a significant turnaround in the Manteca golf course operations that are already considered to be in a heathier position than municipal golf operations in Stockton and Modesto.

Councilman Charlie Halford started the discussion rolling by stressing the need to attribute all golf course expenses to the golf fund so the council — and the taxpaying public — would have a clear accounting of what the golf course was costing the city.

Beauchaine explained that the expense will be charged against the golf course enterprise account but that it was necessary to balance out the account hence what would be a $78,000 general fund transfer to cover the improvement.

She indicated the costs would still be reflected in accounting for the golf course.

Also, the consultant being hired for the $20,000 golf course study will be provided all financial data regarding revenue and expenses to maintain the course including capital improvement costs for work needed in the future.

Based on that information the consultant will make recommendations regarding green fees.  It will be up to the council to decide whether new green fees would cover just maintenance or part or all of identified capital improvement needs.

The course is operated by a contracted golf pro. The pro gets 10 percent of the green fees and the city 90 percent.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com