March 11, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will meet in special session Tuesday night, March 13 at 7 p.m. at city hall to consider hiring a manager of the Smithville Municipal Golf Course, Swimming Pool, and Tennis Courts.
The city previously had a 10 year lease with Tony Poss to operate the golf course and swimming pool, but Poss opted to terminate the lease in August. The facility has been closed since then.
Last September the aldermen voted to enter into a one year agreement with RiverWatch Golf & Resort to upgrade and maintain the golf course for a year.
The cost to the city is $74,115 but city officials said since it is not being leased to anyone the city is to get all revenues generated from the golf course, once it re-opens this spring.
The city had allocated $7,000 in this year’s budget for the golf course but most of that money is now going toward paying RiverWatch . The remaining $67,000 plus to pay RiverWatch is being taken from the city’s general fund surplus. The city also has other expenses associated with the golf course as per the agreement with RiverWatch.
A member of the RiverWatch team is reportedly being considered for the job of manager. The person hired would be a new city employee.