PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Fore!
An audit released Thursday shows the Portland Parks & Recreation golf program needed an extra $800,000 in 2017 just to remain solvent.
The report, titled “Portland Parks Golf: Changes needed to ensure long-term sustainability,” recommends changes to the program beyond the steps the department already took to cut costs and get more people playing golf.
Among the recommendations: give City Council “alternative financial forecast scenarios,” re-negotiate certain contract, step up the monitoring of current contract and have City Council approve and renew contracts.
The city auditor said part of the issue is a national trend showing a decline in golf and “past ineffective program management.”
Two of the 5 golf courses in the Parks department have suffered financial losses in 4 of the past 5 years.
Staff salaries and benefits are the largest cost of the golf program at more than $3 million per year, the audit reports.
In response, the Parks & Rec Department said they’re aligning the contracts of 4 golf courses to expire in 2021 so they could get proposals to manage the courses from one or multiple operators.
“PP&R is committed to implementing the audit’s recommendations and looks forward to sharing updates with you and the community as this work progresses,” PP&R Director Adena Long said in a written response.
