Moorpark (Calif.) CC dodged a bullet when its city council voted to reject a golf tax initiative that would financially cripple the golf course. But the owner of Liverpool (N.Y.) Public G&CC is planning to sell his family’s property in response to school and property tax increases.
The Moorpark City Council has unanimously rejected a golf tax initiative that would affect Moorpark (Calif.) Country Club, an issue the was exploring as a possible revenue option, the Camarillo (Calif.)-based Moorpark Acorn reported.
“It was something to explore (but) it doesn’t really make sense,” said Councilmember Keith Millhouse. “We can put a nail in the coffin on this idea tonight.”
After representatives of the Moorpark Country Club, the only golf course within city limits, said such a tax would unfairly hurt their business, the council decided to postpone a public hearing on the topic and continue the discussion on May 21. Doing so allowed city staff to review Moorpark Country Club’s financial information, the Acorn reported.
Moorpark City Manager Steve Kueny said he and city staff members believe the country club representatives’ concerns about a tax were “legitimate,” Acorn reported.
“I would suggest that we consider any golf tax as part of a comprehensive review of a business license tax,” Kueny said. “The other nearby golf courses are all subject to a business license tax in their community (and) that would also allow us to look at fairness issues relative to all the businesses.”
Marc Connerly, the executive director of the California Golf Course Owners Association, spoke against the tax at last week’s meeting. Connerly said a golf tax would unfairly target the Moorpark Country Club by prompting golfers to play at courses in neighboring cities, the Acorn reported.
“(Golf courses) are a draw for a community,” Connerly said. “I’m of the opinion that, for a community that is recognized as one of the top 10 business-friendly cities in the country, you should be doing everything possible to encourage others to come into the city, to play golf, and to purchase the goods and services that are in your area.”
The Liverpool (N.Y.) Public Golf & Country Club has been in the Ajemian family since 1947, but after seven decades in this community, Richard Ajemian is in the stages of selling his family’s course, citing increasing property and school taxes, the Syracuse-based CNY Central reported.
“After we see the tax bill this year, we just said because the taxes are so high, what else can we do? The town won’t give you a break,” Ajemian said. “We compete with Green Lakes, Battle Island and they don’t pay any taxes, they’re state-owned golf courses, it’s not fair to all the golf courses around here. They should reduce the taxes, not just for us, but for everybody.”
Ajemian is planning to accept an offer from real estate developer Longley Jones. Many teeing up on the course say they want to see the golf course stay here, instead of more developments in their community, CNY Central reported.
“There’s a lot of properties here, at least I know of in the area and there’s not a lot of golf courses here, so it wouldn’t be bad to keep this one around,” said Brian Park, who was swinging at the driving range.
Longley Jones has until October 31 to accept the option offered by the golf course, or the property remains with the current owners, CNY Central reported.
There will also be a meeting scheduled involving the town and Longley Jones in the coming months. A date has not been set yet by the town, CNY Central reported.
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