GOP Councilman Jeff Allen urged his colleagues Tuesday to unload the unprofitable Draper golf course - perhaps for the $13 million the county still owes.

"Are we in a business that we shouldn't be in," he asked, questioning whether an elite golf course like South Mountain belongs under government ownership.

But posting a "For sale" sign didn't sit well with some County Council members, who believe the course should stay within the public portfolio - along with the county's five other golf venues.

"Don't waste my time with this," spouted Democratic Councilman Jim Bradley, who dismissed the proposed sale as a "nitwit idea."

Since the county bought the course for $15 million in the late 1990s, South Mountain has struggled with debt payments that drag it more than $1 million into the red annually.

Without those payments, the course nearly breaks even. While officials expect it to be $91,000 short this year - before paying those debts - it finished $59,000 ahead last year and $43,000 in the black the year before that.

Even so, South Mountain isn't getting the money or maintenance to attract the high-skilled golfers who could play it, Allen said.

"If we are going to keep it, let's keep it and manage it correctly," he said. "If not, let's sell it off to a group that does."

But the council balked at the idea: "I don't think there is any way I could go to the extreme of privatizing this golf course," Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch said - and voted not to act unless Draper officially asks.

In the meantime, the council asked that the Mayor's Office present a status report on the course.

GOP Councilman Michael Jensen said it would be a shame to sell the course now after paying the front-end interest. He says the county should keep its public assets.

"It would probably be a high bar," he said, "for me to get down the road of selling the course."

jstettler@sltrib.com

Corroon to hear residents

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon will meet with residents Thursday between 4 and 5 p.m., continuing his open-door practice that gives residents a chance to sit down and chat with him.

The Democratic mayor will host four more meetings this year - on July 17, Sept. 11, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20 - at the Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 S. State St.

Residents are heard on a first-come, first-served basis. Each meeting lasts 10 minutes.

The meetings, according to spokesman Jim Braden, are to accommodate constituents who would have difficulty scheduling a conversation otherwise.

- Jeremiah Stettler