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I would encourage the Salt Lake City Council to reconsider its approach to funding golf courses in the city. Using a financial balance sheet seems grossly unfair. Do you measure the worth of the parks, trails, libraries, parades, festivals, ball fields, tennis courts, on that basis? I doubt that any of these activities of any cities make a profit. Typically, they all operate at a deficit.
I don't think that is the point. Local governments provide recreation centers, museums, senior centers, swimming pools, etc., because they enrich our lives, not because they make money. I think taxpayers realize that is where their tax money goes. We all benefit from some of these publicly funded facilities. I do not see why you would single out golf courses and expect them to be the only facilities to pay their way. Seems that golf courses are being held to a higher or different standard. Like many other things, a golf course adds to the beauty and quality of life a city offers its residences.
Would they ever shut down a park, museum or swimming pool because it is losing money? No. Communities fund these because they realize the value they provide to others in the city. The golf courses you have targeted are gems in your city. Please fund them as fairly as you do other community facilities.
JoAnn Cowan
Vernal